NBA 2021-22: Staring at the Suns

[Kingspoint]

End of the season. They'll start playing defense again once the playoffs start.

They should probably shorten the season, so teams don't have to rest their starters so often and injuries aren't so impactful for the playoffs.

[Mutaman]

Scoring's getting ridiculous. Where's the Defense?

Bucks and Jazz was serious business. Gobert and Giannis really went at each other. Game was marred by inconsistent officiating but there was playoff intensity down the stretch. What you'd expect from a game featuring 3 members of the all NBA defensive team and they all shined.

[M2]

Big win for the Hornets tonight against the Hawks. LaMelo went 22-8-11. Trez also scored 20 tonight on 7-9 shooting. I get the impression those two have developed some pick-and-roll chemistry.

And Dallas beat Brooklyn behind Luka's 37-9-9.

[Betterread]

Twolves beat the lakers by 20 tonight. The lakers simply don’t put forth enough effort. I felt pity for LBJ. He clearly understands he must score 50 a night for his team to have a chance to win and his body won’t comply. I know he is a pretty emotionally well adjusted man,but he really ought to lose it on Westbrook once in a while. Westbrook doesn’t seem to know how to play basketball any more.

[M2]

The Celtics just jumped over the Bulls into 4th in the East. The Mavs and Jazz are tied for 4th in the West. There is drama in the NBA.

[Kingspoint]

The Clippers are in a Twilight Zone in the 8th spot, and there's nothing they can do about it.

[texasdave]

Steph Curry left the game in the 2nd quarter last night, and is going for an MRI on his ankle. Not good news for the Warriors.

[M2]

The Clippers are in a Twilight Zone in the 8th spot, and there's nothing they can do about it.

The big question with them is which Clippers team shows up in the playoffs: the team that's just the supporting cast, or the version with Kawhi and PG13? If it's the latter version, no one is going to want to face them. I give them credit for hanging in there despite the injuries to their top players. We've seen other teams unravel from that. Lue's done a spectacular job so far and will need to keep it up as they've got a heavy closing schedule.

[BuckeyeRed27]

The Celtics just jumped over the Bulls into 4th in the East. The Mavs and Jazz are tied for 4th in the West. There is drama in the NBA.

Mavs have a significantly easier schedule left than Utah. Utah has a 6 game road trip coming up that includes a game at Dallas.

[M2]

Mavs have a significantly easier schedule left than Utah. Utah has a 6 game road trip coming up that includes a game at Dallas.

Oh wow, just looked it up. The Mavs should have #4 in their pocket. Perhaps what we should be watching is whether Denver can jump them too.

In separate news, Toronto just caught up to Cleveland for the #6 slot in the East. Neither has a notable schedule advantage. That could go to the wire.

[BuckeyeRed27]

Oh wow, just looked it up. The Mavs should have #4 in their pocket. Perhaps what we should be watching is whether Denver can jump them too.

In separate news, Toronto just caught up to Cleveland for the #6 slot in the East. Neither has a notable schedule advantage. That could go to the wire.

Toronto and Cleveland play next week, so that’s big. Cleveland is 3-0 against them this year so Toronto has to finish ahead of the Cavs.

[M2]

One of the big questions looming over the NBA right now is who's coming back in time for the playoffs? A whole bunch of teams have guys out who could change things. Brook Lopez just got back for the Bucks. That could be very important. Alex Caruso just returned for the Bulls. Draymond is back for the Warriors. Here's some of the notable will they/won't they guys:

EAST
Chicago - Lonzo Ball, Patrick Williams
Cleveland - Jarrett Allen
Brooklyn - LaMarcus Aldridge, Ben Simmons
Charlotte - Gordon Hayward
Atlanta - John Collins

WEST
Phoenix - Chris Paul
Golden State - Steph Curry (depending on MRI), Andre Iguodala, Glove II, James Wiseman
Denver - Jamal Murray, Michael Porter
L.A. Clippers - Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Norman Powell
L.A. Lakers - Anthony Davis
New Orleans - Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, Larry Nance Jr.

The West very well could be decided by health.

[KoryMac5]

Dallas is surging at the right time they desperately wanted home court as they are historically bad in Utah..Dinwiddie has been nothing short of outstanding.

[dubc47834]

Twolves beat the lakers by 20 tonight. The lakers simply don’t put forth enough effort. I felt pity for LBJ. He clearly understands he must score 50 a night for his team to have a chance to win and his body won’t comply. I know he is a pretty emotionally well adjusted man,but he really ought to lose it on Westbrook once in a while. Westbrook doesn’t seem to know how to play basketball any more.

I respect James game, but he basically put this team together. He created this mess. I don't feel a bit sorry for him.

[bm1475]

I respect James game, but he basically put this team together. He created this mess. I don't feel a bit sorry for him.

(LeBron plays for the Cavs) "he's basically the GM, they get the guys he wants"

(LeBron leaves the Cavs) "you can't blame him, he mostly had a bunch of bums as teammates, he can't do everything"

I know it isn't always the same people saying both things, but as someone who barely follows the NBA but sees people talk about it online, it's funny how this seems to have happened twice now.

[Kingspoint]

The big question with them is which Clippers team shows up in the playoffs: the team that's just the supporting cast, or the version with Kawhi and PG13? If it's the latter version, no one is going to want to face them. I give them credit for hanging in there despite the injuries to their top players. We've seen other teams unravel from that. Lue's done a spectacular job so far and will need to keep it up as they've got a heavy closing schedule.

RoCo has been saving their butt in most games. Reggie Jackson continues to be the worst player on the team and the one most responsible for any of their poor play. This mysterious "personal reasons" injury for RoCo having missed the last several games has the Clippers losing again. The best thing that could happen to this team is for Reggie Jackson to get injured for the season. If either George or Leonard come back, they will be an even money team against most teams in the playoffs....a very tough out.

[M2]

Saddiq Bey just joined the 50-point club, hanging 51 on the Magic tonight.

[M2]

RoCo has been saving their butt in most games. Reggie Jackson continues to be the worst player on the team and the one most responsible for any of their poor play. This mysterious "personal reasons" injury for RoCo having missed the last several games has the Clippers losing again. The best thing that could happen to this team is for Reggie Jackson to get injured for the season. If either George or Leonard come back, they will be an even money team against most teams in the playoffs....a very tough out.

Jackson's been thrust into a volume shooter role because the top three options on the team are injured. Their top guys come back and he goes back to taking open threes and circulating the ball, which he was pretty excellent at the previous two seasons. That's a whole lot of vitriol directed at a guy who's playing out of his normal role.

Here's my RoCo question, why did he improve dramatically, both offensively and defensively, once he went to the Clippers? He's still not anything stellar, but the guy stunk up the joint in Portland. It was the worst basketball of his career. So is it coaching? Is it the guys around him? Is it team culture? Is it just that he fits better in that system?

[Betterread]

Jackson's been thrust into a volume shooter role because the top three options on the team are injured. Their top guys come back and he goes back to taking open threes and circulating the ball, which he was pretty excellent at the previous two seasons. That's a whole lot of vitriol directed at a guy who's playing out of his normal role.

Here's my RoCo question, why did he improve dramatically, both offensively and defensively, once he went to the Clippers? He's still not anything stellar, but the guy stunk up the joint in Portland. It was the worst basketball of his career. So is it coaching? Is it the guys around him? Is it team culture? Is it just that he fits better in that system?

Portland didn’t use him properly on offense. He barely ever got the ball (Dame and CJ got a huge proportion of touches and shots) and his shooting, and scoring numbers suffered. He was seen as a defensive specialist and was supposed to cover for other guys out of position or just not trying. Must have been super fun for Roco. He is a great guy and great teammate and deserved better.

[M2]

Portland didn’t use him properly on offense. He barely ever got the ball (Dame and CJ got a huge proportion of touches and shots) and his shooting, and scoring numbers suffered. He was seen as a defensive specialist and was supposed to cover for other guys out of position or just not trying. Must have been super fun for Roco. He is a great guy and great teammate and deserved better.

Both his coaches in Portland never seemed to recognize that on-ball defense isn't his strength. Where he excels is off-ball. On offense I wonder if it's that Dame and CJ both roam along the perimeter and their need for territory bumped RoCo off his preferred shooting spots. And, yeah that team has had a sharing problem. The past five seasons they've ranked 26th (currently), 30th, 30th, 25th and 30th in assists.

[Kingspoint]

Jackson's been thrust into a volume shooter role because the top three options on the team are injured. Their top guys come back and he goes back to taking open threes and circulating the ball, which he was pretty excellent at the previous two seasons. That's a whole lot of vitriol directed at a guy who's playing out of his normal role.

Here's my RoCo question, why did he improve dramatically, both offensively and defensively, once he went to the Clippers? He's still not anything stellar, but the guy stunk up the joint in Portland. It was the worst basketball of his career. So is it coaching? Is it the guys around him? Is it team culture? Is it just that he fits better in that system?

RoCo didn't improve when he went to the Clippers. That's how he played for POR, and was playing for POR when he got traded to the LAC. Some guys, who are OK with doing all the dirty work, won't look for their shot, but RoCo started to after he got benched for Nance, which was pretty insulting, considering how terrible Nance is at DEF. Nance got hurt, RoCo got his starting job back, then started being more aggessive getting to the free throw line (he had only 3 freethrow attempts his first two months) and taking about 5 three's per game. POR had an impressive 4-game winning streak with him, Nurk and Little on the Front court, and no more 3-guard lineups being used. One thing that hurt RoCo was that he was always playing with 3 Guards, so he didn't get any shots with Powell taking his share along with C.J. and Dame. It was all screwed up because of that stupid Norman Powell contract.

Reggie Jackson doesn't suck because he has to take too many shots. Reggie Jackson sucks because he's stupid and doesn't understand how to win NBA games. There's plenty of scorers on the LAC, that Jackson could take his shots (which should be no more than 12 per game) in the flow of the contest. He has no concept of flow. He's truly a basketball idiot. Just like Kemba Walker, whom I told you was a problem, but you wouldn't believe it. Now the whole world believes it.

[Chip R]

I respect James game, but he basically put this team together. He created this mess. I don't feel a bit sorry for him.

Since things are going bad it's Rob Pelinka's fault. If they were going well, Bron would get the credit. :laugh:

[BuckeyeRed27]

I’m going to the Cavs Nuggets game tonight. First time I’ll get to see Jokic in person and should be a good game so pretty excited.

I was in Dallas for work last week and went to Jazz Mavs while I was in town. Didn’t get the result I liked, but first time getting to see Luka. He’s a wizard man, just total control of that offense, pretty cool to watch. He needs to start carrying himself like a top player and not get in stupid fights with guys like Royce ONeale.

[M2]

RoCo didn't improve when he went to the Clippers. That's how he played for POR, and was playing for POR when he got traded to the LAC. Some guys, who are OK with doing all the dirty work, won't look for their shot, but RoCo started to after he got benched for Nance, which was pretty insulting, considering how terrible Nance is at DEF. Nance got hurt, RoCo got his starting job back, then started being more aggessive getting to the free throw line (he had only 3 freethrow attempts his first two months) and taking about 5 three's per game. POR had an impressive 4-game winning streak with him, Nurk and Little on the Front court, and no more 3-guard lineups being used. One thing that hurt RoCo was that he was always playing with 3 Guards, so he didn't get any shots with Powell taking his share along with C.J. and Dame. It was all screwed up because of that stupid Norman Powell contract.

Reggie Jackson doesn't suck because he has to take too many shots. Reggie Jackson sucks because he's stupid and doesn't understand how to win NBA games. There's plenty of scorers on the LAC, that Jackson could take his shots (which should be no more than 12 per game) in the flow of the contest. He has no concept of flow. He's truly a basketball idiot. Just like Kemba Walker, whom I told you was a problem, but you wouldn't believe it. Now the whole world believes it.

RoCo's performance with the Blazers was pretty miserable. His per36 was 9.2/6.9/1.7 on a .499 eFG%. With the Clippers it's 14.0/9.1/1.7 on a .569 eFG%. His steals and blocks are up. His turnovers are down. ORtg up to 116 from 100, DRtg down 101 from 111. PER up to 17.3 from 10.1. So, yeah, he's gotten better at everything. Obviously RoCo didn't become a different human when he got traded. However, the team he's on has unlocked his game in a way that NEVER happened in Portland.

So, redo the assignment. Why is that?

And maybe the answer is he likes playing with Reggie Jackson way better than he ever liked playing with Dame. Either way, Reggie and Dame have been to the exact same number of conference finals and Reggie's won more games there.

As for Kemba, he was great and then his knees went. It's a damn shame to see a guy robbed of his game like that. Kind of creepy that you're happy about it. You best hope that's not what happens to Dame, because it can go fast.

[Kingspoint]

Anyone know what this is about?

From NBC Sports w/ NBC Sports comments:

The Kings have announced that Richaun Holmes will miss the remainder of this season for personal reasons.

Regarding the situation, Holmes said “I would like to thank everyone for their support during these difficult times. I love this team, I love my teammates and I look forward to returning next year.” We’re unclear what’s exactly going on, but hopefully everything is okay with him. It’s been a season to forget for Holmes as well, and this was really just the cherry on top. If you've had attachment issues and couldn't let him go, this is your sign.

SOURCE: Sean Cunningham on Twitter

[Revering4Blue]

I’m going to the Cavs Nuggets game tonight. First time I’ll get to see Jokic in person and should be a good game so pretty excited.

I was in Dallas for work last week and went to Jazz Mavs while I was in town. Didn’t get the result I liked, but first time getting to see Luka. He’s a wizard man, just total control of that offense, pretty cool to watch. He needs to start carrying himself like a top player and not get in stupid fights with guys like Royce ONeale.

Man, that was some Nuggets/Cavs game tonight? The Cavs are a different team when Markkanen is firing on all cylinders.


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[Bourgeois Zee]

At this point, in the East, I'm not sure if I'd prefer to be the third or fourth seed to the first or second.

At this point, Philadelphia gets Cleveland, who, while talented, is in the happy-to-be-here part of their playoff journey. Boston gets a seriously winded Chicago team that's in freefall. Both are much, much easier playoff opponents than a fully healthy Brooklyn, who'll either be a seven or eight seed. Not only that, Atlanta has enough shooting and upside to beat any team if they get hot for a series.

Might see all four top East seeds tinker as they get closer to the end of the season.

[M2]

At this point, in the East, I'm not sure if I'd prefer to be the third or fourth seed to the first or second.

At this point, Philadelphia gets Cleveland, who, while talented, is in the happy-to-be-here part of their playoff journey. Boston gets a seriously winded Chicago team that's in freefall. Both are much, much easier playoff opponents than a fully healthy Brooklyn, who'll either be a seven or eight seed. Not only that, Atlanta has enough shooting and upside to beat any team if they get hot for a series.

Might see all four top East seeds tinker as they get closer to the end of the season.

The #1 seed might be the poisoned chalice. There is a high potential for a no-Kyrie Nets travelling to Toronto for the 7-8 play-in game (he can't cross the Canadian border). So the Raps still have the inside track for #7. It's the Heat that could be starting at Brooklyn/Atlanta. The standings are still close enough to change (e.g. Atlanta with a soft schedule could vault past Brooklyn), but would the Heat punt home court advantage to avoid a sticky matchup?

[Bourgeois Zee]

The standings are still close enough to change (e.g. Atlanta with a soft schedule could vault past Brooklyn), but would the Heat punt home court advantage to avoid a sticky matchup?

Miami, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, and Boston all need to think long and hard about who they want to face in those opening playoff series.

Of all the teams below the top four, Brooklyn is undoubtedly the most talented and the most to fear.

Of those teams, Philadelphia matches up best with Brooklyn, but even then, that's with the Nets sans Ben Simmons. And we should all remember how that Nets team sans Simmons absolutely blasted Philly in Philly a couple weeks ago.

[M2]

Miami, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, and Boston all need to think long and hard about who they want to face in those opening playoff series.

Of all the teams below the top four, Brooklyn is undoubtedly the most talented and the most to fear.

Of those teams, Philadelphia matches up best with Brooklyn, but even then, that's with the Nets sans Ben Simmons. And we should all remember how that Nets team sans Simmons absolutely blasted Philly in Philly a couple weeks ago.

My general take is you want your team playing playoff basketball as it heads into the playoffs. Brooklyn obviously has a killer in KD, but the team doesn't play defense. If Simmons gets healthy, he's not going to have time to develop any chemistry with his teammates. A good, organized team should beat them. So I wouldn't want to mess with my own team chemistry to avoid them. That said, I think Miami might be the worst matchup against them. I still look at the Heat as being the least dangerous of the top 4 seeds because they don't have a transcendent offensive player.

[Bourgeois Zee]

My general take is you want your team playing playoff basketball as it heads into the playoffs. Brooklyn obviously has a killer in KD, but the team doesn't play defense. If Simmons gets healthy, he's not going to have time to develop any chemistry with his teammates. A good, organized team should beat them. So I wouldn't want to mess with my own team chemistry to avoid them. That said, I think Miami might be the worst matchup against them. I still look at the Heat as being the least dangerous of the top 4 seeds because they don't have a transcendent offensive player.

You're selling Andre Drummond short. If engaged, he's more than solid. And Simmons is an elite level defender.

That's two. KD, when engaged, is tough to beat. (He's had to carry the entire offensive load this season, so he gets a bit of a pass for this season's putrid numbers.

A smart team would target the Net backcourt. Kyrie is a sieve, and while Curry tries, he's not great either. But that team has to hit its shots from outside if they're going to be successful because that Brooklyn front line is/ will/ might hypothetically be 7' 0", 6' 11", and 7' 0'.

[M2]

You're selling Andre Drummond short. If engaged, he's more than solid. And Simmons is an elite level defender.

That's two. KD, when engaged, is tough to beat. (He's had to carry the entire offensive load this season, so he gets a bit of a pass for this season's putrid numbers.

A smart team would target the Net backcourt. Kyrie is a sieve, and while Curry tries, he's not great either. But that team has to hit its shots from outside if they're going to be successful because that Brooklyn front line is/ will/ might hypothetically be 7' 0", 6' 11", and 7' 0'.

The Nets defense is still bad with Drummond there. As for matchups, I've seen Joel Embiid eat him more times than I can count. I assume he's helpless against Giannis. Hard to imagine Bam not having a field day against him. Simmons is elite, but that would mean two non-shooters on the floor with him and Drummond. I don't think they've got time to iron out those sorts of wrinkles.

[BuckeyeRed27]

Man, that was some Nuggets/Cavs game tonight? The Cavs are a different team when Markkanen is firing on all cylinders.


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Super fun game to go to. Nuggets went on a run in the second quarter and were up 8-12 points for most of the game until the Cavs started the comeback in the fourth. Crowd was fun.

Jokic is awesome to watch but man he does a lot of elbow push offs. I’ve never noticed it on TV before, but it’s basically all he does going to the basket. His passing is just insane. He hits cross court passes right into a guys shooting motion.

The cool thing about Markkanen last night was he did that on offense while also guarding Jokic and dealing with that all game. Mobley getting mad and getting physical in the fourth was the difference though. He was being so passive and he got fouled on a rebound with about 10 minutes to go and it set him off.

[Bourgeois Zee]

Simmons is elite, but that would mean two non-shooters on the floor with him and Drummond. I don't think they've got time to iron out those sorts of wrinkles.

I'm guessing Simmons plays with Aldridge most and occupies the dunker's spot on the baseline or becomes the spoke around which the team revolves.

He might also play a bit of center (especially against Philadelphia), with Brown taking on the opponent's best wing (Harden).

Brooklyn's made to beat Philly, IMO, as seen in the demolishing the Sixers took last week. They're also a poor matchup for Miami. And, if Simmons is healthy, they match up really, really well with the Bucks.

And that's my point. They're a matchup problem that can be avoided if you lose enough games to drop into that #3 or #4 seed.

[M2]

The Wolves continue to be ravenous. The beat the Bucks (no Giannis) handily and are now only half a game behind Denver for 6th place in the West. Seeing that Minny is on fire and the Nuggets can't finish games (and Murray and Porter are still on the shelf), I'm think the Wolves are going to earn themselves a guaranteed playoff spot.

[SteelSD]

I'm guessing Simmons plays with Aldridge most and occupies the dunker's spot on the baseline or becomes the spoke around which the team revolves.

He might also play a bit of center (especially against Philadelphia), with Brown taking on the opponent's best wing (Harden).

Brooklyn's made to beat Philly, IMO, as seen in the demolishing the Sixers took last week. They're also a poor matchup for Miami. And, if Simmons is healthy, they match up really, really well with the Bucks.

And that's my point. They're a matchup problem that can be avoided if you lose enough games to drop into that #3 or #4 seed.

I hope you're not under the impression that Ben Simmons can guard Joel Embiid in the post. That's not going to go well for Brooklyn.

And I've never seen anyone put as much stock in a single game as you have. Really weird.

[Betterread]

The Wolves continue to be ravenous. The beat the Bucks (no Giannis) handily and are now only half a game behind Denver for 6th place in the West. Seeing that Minny is on fire and the Nuggets can't finish games (and Murray and Porter are still on the shelf), I'm think the Wolves are going to earn themselves a guaranteed playoff spot.
I know how the game went, but it still seems like the Bucks are “experimenting” until the playoffs. Lopez looked very good subbing for Gianis’ plays. Holiday looked ruthless posting up PGs. But they only displayed these skills a few times, as if they were saying we can turn it on whenever we want. One player that can’t say that is Bobby Portis. Naz Reid destroyed him - 14 pts in 13 min while Portis had 4 in 28. And Naz is a backup C.
Teams don’t seem to understand the Twolves potential for 3pt shooting driving big runs.

[Bourgeois Zee]

I hope you're not under the impression that Ben Simmons can guard Joel Embiid in the post. That's not going to go well for Brooklyn.

And I've never seen anyone put as much stock in a single game as you have. Really weird.

Both teams were playoff-level hyped, and Brooklyn demolished Philadelphia.

And I'm guessing Simmons can play Embiid as well as anyone can. Assuming he doesn't get every call (a stretch, I realize), Embiid is making his money largely in the mid-range and on cuts to the hoop. Simmons is quick enough to eliminate some of that and big enough to muscle a little. He's not going to stop Embiid, but no one is. More importantly, he allows for a viable defender on the pick and roll between Harden and Embiid or Maxey and Embiid. He can switch rather seamlessly and make the pass remarkably difficult-- that, in turn, could theoretically slow the Sixer offense.

It's the same thing LA did to Harden to frustrate him into a poor series in 2020. It's similar to what Atlanta did to Embiid and Simmons in 2021, when Embiid had 33 TOs and shot 47% from the floor in that 7-game loss. They didn't stop Embiid, but they did force him into shooting threes and long twos. That stymied much of the Sixer offense and resulted in a team that depended on Seth Curry to do all the heavy lifting. Brooklyn did that very thing in the game you want to dismiss, and Philadelphia really struggled to hit anything around Embiid. Harden struggled mightily passing, with only five assists against four turnovers. Embiid scored and rebounded well-- that's what happens when you're able to get to the line 19 times-- but shot a ghastly 5-17 from the floor.

[Bourgeois Zee]

I know how the game went, but it still seems like the Bucks are “experimenting” until the playoffs. Lopez looked very good subbing for Gianis’ plays. Holiday looked ruthless posting up PGs. But they only displayed these skills a few times, as if they were saying we can turn it on whenever we want. One player that can’t say that is Bobby Portis. Naz Reid destroyed him - 14 pts in 13 min while Portis had 4 in 28. And Naz is a backup C.
Teams don’t seem to understand the Twolves potential for 3pt shooting driving big runs.

I'll be interesting in how the Wolves perform in the playoffs.

Whistles tend to dry up, and scorers and creators become paramount.

It took Milwaukee a couple of seasons to figure out how to play in the playoffs. I expect it'll take that same time for Minnesota.

[Bourgeois Zee]

How so very like the Pacers to begin shooting like All-Pros after they're largely just playing for pride and draft picks.

They're destroying Portland, 69 - 49 at halftime.

Their last six games have resulted in one stinker-- 102 points in a 30-point walloping by the Grizzlies-- and a team offensive output of north of 125 on average.

That's a legitimately dangerous offense.

Of course, beyond the occasional Isiaiah Jackson block, they play no defense. But they are fun to watch.

Oshae Brissett and Jalen Smith have combined to produce some serious numbers over 48. Both look like they'll be rotation players, if not more. Jackson's been playing center. Which is certainly interesting. Bitazde and he have a combined PER over 20. Hield and Haliburton look as good as they ever have. Brogdon's found new life as a secondary playmaker and shooter. Duarte is in and out. So is Jackson. Heck, the whole team seems to be built out of bailing twine and prayer. But if they're healthy, they'll put up some numbers, I think.

Next year, with several good picks, that's a team that could be really good in a real hurry.

[SteelSD]

Both teams were playoff-level hyped, and Brooklyn demolished Philadelphia.

It's one game, man. One game. Look around the league and you'll see plenty of playoff teams lose to other playoff teams- both intra and inter-conference by big numbers in single games. There are nights where one team makes everything they throw up while the other can't hit the broad side of the proverbial barn.


And I'm guessing Simmons can play Embiid as well as anyone can. Assuming he doesn't get every call (a stretch, I realize), Embiid is making his money largely in the mid-range and on cuts to the hoop. Simmons is quick enough to eliminate some of that and big enough to muscle a little. He's not going to stop Embiid, but no one is. More importantly, he allows for a viable defender on the pick and roll between Harden and Embiid or Maxey and Embiid. He can switch rather seamlessly and make the pass remarkably difficult-- that, in turn, could theoretically slow the Sixer offense.

Simmons cannot guard legit NBA centers. He's never been able to do that. He can probably guard a Kelly Olynyk type in a small-ball on small-ball scenario, but not a legit post-up center. If the Sixers face the Nets and have Simmons guarding anyone but James Harden, they're dolts.

I do think it's a bit puzzling that you're pimping Simmons to have this new skill after suggesting, for months, that Philly trade him for trash and include Tyrese Maxey to do it.


It's the same thing LA did to Harden to frustrate him into a poor series in 2020. It's similar to what Atlanta did to Embiid and Simmons in 2021, when Embiid had 33 TOs and shot 47% from the floor in that 7-game loss. They didn't stop Embiid, but they did force him into shooting threes and long twos. That stymied much of the Sixer offense and resulted in a team that depended on Seth Curry to do all the heavy lifting. Brooklyn did that very thing in the game you want to dismiss, and Philadelphia really struggled to hit anything around Embiid. Harden struggled mightily passing, with only five assists against four turnovers. Embiid scored and rebounded well-- that's what happens when you're able to get to the line 19 times-- but shot a ghastly 5-17 from the floor.

Isn't it a bit disingenous to frame 47% shooting from Embiid as some sort of issue over a playoff series, considering that he's the odds-on favorite to win MVP this year while hitting 49% of his field goal attempts? After all, he is one of the top 10 to 20 mid-range shooters in the league. He did have two poor shooting games agains the Hawks. The Sixers lost one of those games. But that series loss was NOT on him, not at all.

The entire plan (I mean the whole plan) for the Hawks re: Joel Embiid was to double team him relentlessly and send Ben Simmons to the line. Embiid's turnovers went up as did his assists because of it, but he sure as heck isn't the reason the Sixers lost that series; not even a contributing factor. Those double teams were made much MUCH easier due to the presence of the aforementioned Ben Simmons, who wouldn't shoot, allowed defenses to cheat in, and who literally could not take the ball late-game because of his issues at the line.

And let's put a kibosh on the "...game you want to dismiss" stuff. Dismiss? Nope. Brooklyn has a very strong team on paper. Of course, they had one of those teams last year too...but I'd be crazy to not acknowledge that the Nets pose matchup issues for pretty much the whole NBA if they're healthy and all available. No doubt about that.

But that one game needs to be viewed in proper context. One team played near-perfect basketball and hit all their shots. The other team put the "MISS' in "make or miss league" in all caps. You seem to think that game means all sorts of stuff about all sorts of stuff. I don't. In fact, I don't think it means any more than when Denver beat the Bucks by 36 points earlier this season, or when those same Bucks lost by 42 points to Miami, or when the T-Wolves took down Memphis by 43 points, or when...

Good teams lose to good (and bad) teams by bunches pretty consistently throughout an NBA season.

[Bourgeois Zee]

Embiid had 33 turnovers in that series. His poor play is absolutely one of many reasons why the Sixers lost that Atlanta series.

And again (third time now), that one game is instructive in how to beat a Sixer team with Harden and Embiid. There just aren't that many games where they both played in a "stakes" game for both teams. In fact, I'd argue there's been one-- and they got absolutely blown out. The defensive philosophy for that game is the blueprint others will likely use during the playoffs.

That's instructive to me. It's not to you.

Just like last season, we'll see who's right in short order.

[SteelSD]

Embiid had 33 turnovers in that series. His poor play is absolutely one of many reasons why the Sixers lost that Atlanta series.

That's ridiculous. The guy averaged 30.4 PPG, 12.4 Rebounds per contest, shot 81.8% from the line, while playing nearly 38 minutes per game. "Poor play"? Well, this season, a similar level of "poor play" will likely carry Embiid to an MVP award. Seriously, much belly laughter at you.


And again (third time now), that one game is instructive in how to beat a Sixer team with Harden and Embiid. There just aren't that many games where they both played in a "stakes" game for both teams. In fact, I'd argue there's been one-- and they got absolutely blown out. The defensive philosophy for that game is the blueprint others will likely use during the playoffs.

That's instructive to me. It's not to you.

Just like last season, we'll see who's right in short order.

And just like your short-sighted (that's me being very kind) takes on the Simmons trade situation, you might just be dead wrong. Apparently, your idea of "instructive" is that, to beat the Sixers, your team needs to make all of it's shots and the Sixers need to miss all of theirs.

[Bourgeois Zee]

And just like your short-sighted (that's me being very kind) takes on the Simmons trade situation, you might just be dead wrong.

Yeah, you made this argument last year too.

How'd that go?

[SteelSD]

Yeah, you made this argument last year too.

How'd that go?

What argument? That the Sixers should panic and trade Simmons and Maxey for garbage?

No, that was you.

[Bourgeois Zee]

What argument? That the Sixers should panic and trade Simmons and Maxey for garbage?

No, that was you.

Last year, we had a similar argument. You jumped up one side of me and down the other.

With Philly's first round exit, you were proven wrong.

Let's see what happens this year.

And just for the record, 33 TOs is a ton-- especially for a guy who doesn't handle the ball. That's nearly five turnovers a game. In a seven-game series, that absolutely cost the Sixers. I'd be shocked you don't see that, but your Embiid fandom is strong.

[SteelSD]

Last year, we had a similar argument. You jumped up one side of me and down the other.

With Philly's first round exit, you were proven wrong.

Let's see what happens this year.

What in hades are you talking about? And Philly lost in the second round, not the first.

I'm not jumping up and down on you. You're just making an amazingly silly argument. There's no way anyone can blame Joel Embiid for that loss. None. The guy was +51 across the games. He led all players (both teams) in that series with a 9.9 Net Rating and his Player Impact Estimate for the second round was 5th among all NBA players who played at least 4 second round games @20 or more min per game. The four guys above him were named Chris Paul, Kevin Durant, Nikola Jokic, and some dude named Giannis.

In short, not only did Embiid produce the most positive impact amongt all players (again, both teams) in his own second round series, but he was more productive than only a handful of the other very best players in the NBA in that round. But according to you, he played "poorly"? No. A million times no. It's just not what happened.

[Bourgeois Zee]

What in hades are you talking about? And Philly lost in the second round, not the first.

I'm not jumping up and down on you. You're just making an amazingly silly argument. There's no way anyone can blame Joel Embiid for that loss. None. The guy was +51 across the games. He led all players (both teams) in that series with a 9.9 Net Rating and his Player Impact Rating for the second round was 5th among all NBA players who played at least 4 second round games @20 or more min per game. The four guys above him were named Chris Paul, Kevin Durant, Nikola Jokic, and some dude named Giannis.

In short, not only did Embiid produce the most positive impact amongt all players (again, both teams) in his own second round series, but he was more productive than only a handful of the other very best players in the NBA in that round. But according to you, he played "poorly"? No. A million times no. It's just not what happened.

In a series as close as that one was, every possession matters.

In Game Four, Embiid went for a negative BPM in a three-point loss. He shot 4 of 20 from the floor and had four turnovers.

He was absolutely the reason why they lost that game.

In Game 7, a seven-point loss, he had seven turnovers and was -2 in the plus/ minus while on the floor.

He was one reason why they lost the deciding game.

[SteelSD]

In a series as close as that one was, every possession matters.

In Game Four, Embiid went for a negative BPM in a three-point loss. He shot 4 of 20 from the floor and had four turnovers.

He was absolutely the reason why they lost that game.

In Game 7, a seven-point loss, he had seven turnovers and was -2 in the plus/ minus while on the floor.

He was one reason why they lost the deciding game.

No. That's all that deserves. No.

[Kingspoint]

That needs to be a Flagrant-2 Ejection for Harden.

[Kingspoint]

Shut up, Harden! You're a punk, as are the Philly announcers.

[SteelSD]

Absolute trash call where Boucher jumps into Harden. Should have been two shots for Harden. Instead, it's a Flagrant 1. Garbage officiating.

[Kingspoint]

Absolute trash call where Boucher jumps into Harden. Should have been two shots for Harden. Instead, it's a Flagrant 1. Garbage officiating.

Only a punk would defend Harden there.

Harden intentionally throws an elbow into the face of Boucher. That's why it took the refs all of 2 seconds to make the call. He should have been tossed.

[M2]

The Celtics whipped up on Denver tonight. Los Jays are doing this thing where they each score 30. Seems to be effective. And Boston's now tied with Philly for 3rd in the East (Philly has two games in hand). Meanwhile, Denver's in trouble. They're tied with Minnesota, which is playing way better than the Nuggets right now. Among other things, this might be eliminating Jokic from the MVP race.

And the Pelicans are now tied with the Lakers for 9th in the West. If the Pels finish ahead of L.A., they get to do a draft pick swap. Won't matter a whole lot since the picks will be close to each other, but it's an extra twist of the knife.

[SteelSD]

Only a punk would defend Harden there.

Harden intentionally throws an elbow into the face of Boucher. That's why it took the refs all of 2 seconds to make the call. He should have been tossed.

Watch the words coming off your keyboard. It's pretty clear that you're attempting to instigate something. Take it PM if you have a problem.

[Kingspoint]

The Celtics whipped up on Denver tonight. Los Jays are doing this thing where they each score 30. Seems to be effective. And Boston's now tied with Philly for 3rd in the East (Philly has two games in hand). Meanwhile, Denver's in trouble. They're tied with Minnesota, which is playing way better than the Nuggets right now. Among other things, this might be eliminating Jokic from the MVP race.

And the Pelicans are now tied with the Lakers for 9th in the West. If the Pels finish ahead of L.A., they get to do a draft pick swap. Won't matter a whole lot since the picks will be close to each other, but it's an extra twist of the knife.

Interesting about the draft pick swap. I imagine they have to finish ahead of them "after" the play-in games, as that is the final determination of the standings.

- - - Updated - - -


Watch the words coming off your keyboard. It's pretty clear that you're attempting to instigate something. Take it PM if you have a problem.

Don't expect a Steeler fan to understand anything about a Flagrant Foul. You tick me off with your support of Harden there and your lying about the call. He was quickly called for a Flagrant, on his home floor in a critical moment because he is a cheap S.O.B., and supporting him there makes anyone who does the same.

[Betterread]

The Celtics whipped up on Denver tonight. Los Jays are doing this thing where they each score 30. Seems to be effective. And Boston's now tied with Philly for 3rd in the East (Philly has two games in hand). Meanwhile, Denver's in trouble. They're tied with Minnesota, which is playing way better than the Nuggets right now. Among other things, this might be eliminating Jokic from the MVP race.

And the Pelicans are now tied with the Lakers for 9th in the West. If the Pels finish ahead of L.A., they get to do a draft pick swap. Won't matter a whole lot since the picks will be close to each other, but it's an extra twist of the knife.

Thank you Boston.

[M2]

Thank you Boston.

The Wolves going 9-1 in their last 10 deserves the bulk of the credit, but the Celtics are on fire too. In fact, Boston's looking so invincible you almost have to figure they lose tomorrow in OKC. It's the perfect trap game.

[Betterread]

The Wolves going 9-1 in their last 10 deserves the bulk of the credit, but the Celtics are on fire too. In fact, Boston's looking so invincible you almost have to figure they lose tomorrow in OKC. It's the perfect trap game.

No doubt. 19-3 in their last 22 games is “feeling empowered” as Jaylen Brown says. And doing it by playing the best D in the league.

[SteelSD]

Don't expect a Steeler fan to understand anything about a Flagrant Foul. You tick me off with your support of Harden there and your lying about the call. He was quickly called for a Flagrant, on his home floor in a critical moment because he is a cheap S.O.B., and supporting him there makes anyone who does the same.

I don't care what ticks you off. You're way WAY out of line.

[Betterread]

Dubs just lost to Spurs without Curry. How far will they fall in the last 11-12 games? Will both Utah and Dallas pass them, making them 5th?

[Betterread]

Only a punk would defend Harden there.

Harden intentionally throws an elbow into the face of Boucher. That's why it took the refs all of 2 seconds to make the call. He should have been tossed.

I didn’t see an intentional elbow. Looks like he’s going up with two hands for a shot. So he hits the guy in the face, then call a foul. But a flagrant? NBA refs have called some pretty dodgy offensive foul flagrants on Towns and Harden this year.

[texasdave]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMaialGXoeA

If you go to 34 seconds on the video, it sure looks like he threw an elbow to me. Not a vicious, wild elbow, but he catches him in the face. He was right to be tossed.

[M2]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMaialGXoeA

If you go to 34 seconds on the video, it sure looks like he threw an elbow to me. Not a vicious, wild elbow, but he catches him in the face. He was right to be tossed.

First time I've seen it. Looks like a nothingburger to me. That sort of thing is going to happen when two guys are trying to make a play.

[texasdave]

First time I've seen it. Looks like a nothingburger to me. That sort of thing is going to happen when two guys are trying to make a play.

If he hit him anywhere but in the face, I would agree.

[SteelSD]

If he hit him anywhere but in the face, I would agree.

I'm really wondering if people expect Harden's elbows to invert when a guy jumps into him. That was a normal shooting motion. No push off, no wind-up, nothing. That's a blocking foul. Had the defender not jumped and Harden ran over him, it should have also been a blocking foul as he wasn't close to squared up and his foot was on the arc. What it turned into was a terrible call because of where the contact occured- which should not be a consideration, period, for that play. Offensive foul? No way. Flagrant 1? Good lord, no.


18140

The officials were atrocious all night long. The crew had just completely botched a jump ball toss, after already making a horrible call when attempting to assess a foul on James Harden for what was clearly an all-ball block on a Toronto drive (overturned, but wasted a challenge), after already charging Tobias Harris with an offensive foul for attempting to make a layup because the defender jumped high enough to put his own nuts in harms way. Ridiculous stuff.

Now, all that being said, the Sixers pretty much got what they deserved, given that they slept through about three quarters of basketball offensively. Toronto is a good defensive team, yes. And I can only assume that the Sixers are practicing the high pick-and-roll with the Embiid/Harden combination, because if they keep pulling Embiid from the blocks like that they might not even make it through the first round of the playoffs. Don't even get me started on even 3 minutes of Paul Reed and DeAndre Jordan on the floor at the same time. Hopefully, they rest Embiid tonight against Miami and just take the L, but knowing him, he'll probably want to play.

And I should add that I'm not grumpy with you, dave. I'm just pretty done with the ineptness of the officiating this season. I don't think I've ever seen it this bad game-to-game.

[M2]

If he hit him anywhere but in the face, I would agree.

But getting hit in the face happens fairly frequently in basketball. Happens to Jusuf Nurkic at least five times a game (though he's gifted in that way). IMO that's normal, incidental contact. Obviously your mileage varies on that, but I'd like to see game-toss flagrants be something more definitive and less interpretative.

[SteelSD]

And Ben Simmons has been diagnosed with a herniated disc in his back. No idea when he'll return, but this is a recurring issue. If he's not back before the playoffs, you have to wonder if the Nets consider shutting him down for the season.

[SteelSD]

Well, that was interesting. We had both a Shake Milton and Furkan Korkmaz sighting and got rest for both Embiid and Harden and beat the Heat on the back end of a back-to-back. Solid.

[M2]

Three-way tie for 2nd in the East. This really is a wild season. And it's not out of the realm to think one of those teams could catch the Heat.

[Betterread]

Three-way tie for 2nd in the East. This really is a wild season. And it's not out of the realm to think one of those teams could catch the Heat.

Even if they don’t catch the Heat, they are playing better than the Heat, so the team that ends up fourth, might have an easier second round opponent (the Heat) than the teams that finish 2-3.

[RiverfrontRed]

Suns are primed to go all the way. They have depth and unselfishness and even without CP3 are playing championship basketball. Paul is expected back early, maybe this week. Barring significant injury, I see the Suns winning it all.

[Bourgeois Zee]

Suns are primed to go all the way. They have depth and unselfishness and even without CP3 are playing championship basketball. Paul is expected back early, maybe this week. Barring significant injury, I see the Suns winning it all.

They've certainly been the most consistent.

But they need, IMO, a healthy Paul to win it all.

Not sure that will happen.

[M2]

Suns are primed to go all the way. They have depth and unselfishness and even without CP3 are playing championship basketball. Paul is expected back early, maybe this week. Barring significant injury, I see the Suns winning it all.

Oddly, despite the thread title and Phoenix having the runaway best record in the league, we don't mention the Suns a lot. I feel like that's a national phenomenon. They just win and win and win and win, but it kind of goes under the radar. They're not getting a lot of the national game slots on TNT and ESPN. Devin Booker (26-5-5 on the season) has taken a full star turn and he doesn't get a lot of mention either. Maybe it's that the got beaten last year when Giannis went nuclear and the suspicion is they're a good team that lacks a guy who can do that (despite Booker seeming highly capable).

[M2]

NYC Mayor Eric Adams throws cold water on the idea he'll be lifting COVID restrictions for pro athletes prior to the NBA playoffs or MLB opening day - https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33571976/new-york-city-mayor-says-nets-knicks-yankees-mets-wait-loosened-covid-19-vaccination-restrictions.


"Believe it or not, a lot of our businesses, they love the mandates," Adams said. "When I speak to a lot of my businesses, getting people back in the office, that mandate is allowing them to feel safe in the office for those who feel that they would rather the vaccine mandate to be in place. But again, we're going to do it in layers, and when we feel it's the right time to look at that, if we do so at all, because the work environment is an important environment, we're going to make that determination. We're not there yet."

New York City's infection rate has been climbing again lately, rising 50% over the past week. The city is averaging a little more than 950 new cases per day, comparable to the daily average in early November before the start of the omicron wave.

I'll just note that making pro athletes the last people in line is good politics, makes Joe and Jane Public feel like their issues are getting considered first.

[KoryMac5]

Nurcic fined 40000 by the NBA for throwing a teens cell phone at the end of a loss...supposedly the fan said some degrading things about Nurcic's Mom and Grandmother. His grandmother passed from covid...

The NBA has a growing issue on it's hands with some courtside fans making poor choices.

https://sports.yahoo.com/jusuf-nurkic-fined-40000-after-throwing-fans-cell-phone-into-stands-165434091.html

[RiverfrontRed]

They've certainly been the most consistent.

But they need, IMO, a healthy Paul to win it all.

Not sure that will happen.

Another way to look at it is he's got his injury out of the way for the year and he has fresh legs for a playoff run.

[Bourgeois Zee]

Another way to look at it is he's got his injury out of the way for the year and he has fresh legs for a playoff run.

Good point.

A healthy and rested Paul is a huge weapon.

[Betterread]

golden state just lost its third in a row, Orlando Won tonight. Another poor game from Wiggins.

[Mutaman]

Bulls keep getting healthier
Bucks keep beating them by more points.

[Revering4Blue]

How so very like the Pacers to begin shooting like All-Pros after they're largely just playing for pride and draft picks.

They're destroying Portland, 69 - 49 at halftime.

Their last six games have resulted in one stinker-- 102 points in a 30-point walloping by the Grizzlies-- and a team offensive output of north of 125 on average.

That's a legitimately dangerous offense.

Of course, beyond the occasional Isiaiah Jackson block, they play no defense. But they are fun to watch.

Oshae Brissett and Jalen Smith have combined to produce some serious numbers over 48. Both look like they'll be rotation players, if not more. Jackson's been playing center. Which is certainly interesting. Bitazde and he have a combined PER over 20. Hield and Haliburton look as good as they ever have. Brogdon's found new life as a secondary playmaker and shooter. Duarte is in and out. So is Jackson. Heck, the whole team seems to be built out of bailing twine and prayer. But if they're healthy, they'll put up some numbers, I think.

Next year, with several good picks, that's a team that could be really good in a real hurry.

Oddly enough, Buddy Hield is averaging a career high 5 assists per game as a Pacer. And they have a 117.8 offensive rating - tops in the league - when he’s on the court.

Jalen Smith may be a free agent casualty, as Phoenix declined his option. The Pacers can only offer him a certain amount, which assuredly means they’ll be outbid. In any case, the Myles Turner situation bears watching. Will they package him with Cleveland’s first to acquire an additional lottery pick?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[M2]

Indiana strikes me as the best landing spot for Jabari Smith. It's a long shot they'll be able to get him, but that's a team where he could be an instant hit.

[Betterread]

How so very like the Pacers to begin shooting like All-Pros after they're largely just playing for pride and draft picks.

They're destroying Portland, 69 - 49 at halftime.

Their last six games have resulted in one stinker-- 102 points in a 30-point walloping by the Grizzlies-- and a team offensive output of north of 125 on average.

That's a legitimately dangerous offense.

Of course, beyond the occasional Isiaiah Jackson block, they play no defense. But they are fun to watch.

Oshae Brissett and Jalen Smith have combined to produce some serious numbers over 48. Both look like they'll be rotation players, if not more. Jackson's been playing center. Which is certainly interesting. Bitazde and he have a combined PER over 20. Hield and Haliburton look as good as they ever have. Brogdon's found new life as a secondary playmaker and shooter. Duarte is in and out. So is Jackson. Heck, the whole team seems to be built out of bailing twine and prayer. But if they're healthy, they'll put up some numbers, I think.

Next year, with several good picks, that's a team that could be really good in a real hurry.
I like the Pacers’ chances to make a jump next year (with an immediately contributing high draft pick added) with the additions of Smith and especially Halliburton. I checked the team W-L records for Indiana and Sacramento since the Sabonis-Halliburton trade and Indiana is one game better, which surprised me because Sac was trying for the play-in while was Indiana shedding assets and “rebuilding” .
I caution you on having expectations for Hield, though. While he definitely can get hot and change a game, he is a streaky shooter and can just as well lose a game for you when his shot is off. And his shooting is the one plus skill he has, which is not good.

[Boston Red]

Kyrie is back in business in Brooklyn.


Also, the Jazz suck again.

[M2]

Every night is an eventful night.

Golden State went to Miami and beat the Heat. Klay didn't play and I think the Warriors are just a better team without him. Poole, Wiggins and Kuminga went off. And are we sure the Heat aren't going to sag to 4th in the East?

The Celtics gobbled up the Jazz. Boston's not even letting anyone get close these days. And the Mavericks won, so they're tied with Utah again.

The Nets, Hornets and Hawks all lost. Brooklyn at least had an excuse as they were playing Memphis. Yet none of those team seems capable of consistency.

Phoenix may never lose again. Tonight their victim was Minnesota, which is now two games back of Denver in the loss column.

[goreds2]

Just watched the End of my 76ers game via DVR. Lakers despite not having James or Davis made it respectful most of the game. 76ers pull out the win with 4 players of 20 plus points. (Embiid, Hardin, Maxie and Harris).

As much as I hate to say it, Lakers at full strength could be an interesting 9 seed in the playoffs.

[Betterread]

Phoenix just took apart the Twolves in the fourth quarter. They are great at executing Monty Williams’ in-game adjustments.
If you are using offensive plays or defensive schemes that are effective during the first, second or third quarters, Monty will come up with an in-game adjustment and consistently gets his team of great athletes to implement the adjustment. He should have been coach of the year last year, and I think he is a shoo-in for the award this year.
To beat Phoenix, you have to match their individual focus and intensity and team strategy.

[M2]

Phoenix just took apart the Twolves in the fourth quarter. They are great at executing Monty Williams’ in-game adjustments.
If you are using offensive plays or defensive schemes that are effective during the first, second or third quarters, Monty will come up with an in-game adjustment and consistently gets his team of great athletes to implement the adjustment. He should have been coach of the year last year, and I think he is a shoo-in for the award this year.
To beat Phoenix, you have to match their individual focus and intensity and team strategy.

Taylor Jenkins (Memphis) is going to be a serious candidate as well. Though I think Phoenix continuing to storm through the NBA without Chris Paul has woken people up to how good Monty Williams is.

[M2]

One of the side effects of Boston going megaton on the rest of the league is it's removed some tarnish from Danny Ainge's reputation. When the team was scuffling for a year and a half and all the talk was about whether they should blow up the team, Ainge was (rightly) taking some heat for playing his hand wrong back when he had a zillion draft picks.

The Jays tend to get all of the focus, and Tatum and Brown have been outstanding in 2022. They're a lot to handle. It seems like they've finally answered the question about whether they can lead a serious contender (though they've got to deliver in the playoffs). Though more important for Ainge's rep are the supporting players. The Time Lord has become an elite rim protector/rim runner. Grant Williams is a quality stretch 4, straight out of the P.J. Tucker mold. Payton Pritchard suddenly can't miss from 3 and he's got the bench unit playing outstanding basketball. And, finally, Marcus Smart became a point guard. He wasn't one for a very long time because he didn't orchestrate and connect the team together, but now he is.

Ainge drafted all those guys. Pritchard and the Williamses were all picked in the 20s. That's real value out of picks that miss more often than they hit. There are, however, a few egregious errors that are only getting worse over time. The Romeo Lankford and Aaron Nesmith picks have both been swinging misses. They made San Antonio take Lankford in the Derrick Williams trade just to keep themselves below the cap penalty. Utterly useless player. Nesmith got drafted as a dead-eye shooter and he's almost comically incapable from distance. Teams don't even step out toward him when he gets the ball on the arc. They just let him misfire and grad the rebound.

And then there's the two who got away. Trading Matisse Thybulle for Carsen Edwards and Ty Jerome is inexcusable. It never made sense, and imagine Thybulle as part of Boston's switching, high energy defense. Also, they wouldn't have to play against him. No one likes playing against that guy. Yet he's not even the most slap-yourself-in-the-face trade Ainge made. Desmond Bane is the long distance killer they imagined Nesmith would be. He's lethal, and he's become one of the most dangerous players on Memphis' young, dynamic team. Ainge drafted him and traded him for two 2nd round picks that are going to fall in the 50s. Yikes. So, Ainge's end run with the Celtics will remain forever blemished even if it has been largely rehabilitated.

Maybe the lesson is that it is exceptionally hard to turn draft picks into a quality team. Even when you get a lot right -- the Tatum draft pick trade might be one of the all-time great moves in NBA history -- you still are going to mess up on a lot of kids.

[M2]

Chris Paul back tonight, currently in a tight contest at Denver.

Meanwhile, the 5-7 picture in the East is getting murky. Toronto beat Cleveland, so those two are tied. And Chicago can't stop losing (tonight to the Pelicans). It's entirely possible the Bulls collapse into 7th. The Nets are probably the most interested observer of this, as they want anyone but the Raptors to finish 7th.

[Revering4Blue]

Indiana strikes me as the best landing spot for Jabari Smith. It's a long shot they'll be able to get him, but that's a team where he could be an instant hit.

IMHO, Jaden Ivey and Jabari Smith are ranked 1 and 1A as BPAs in this upcoming draft.

What separates Smith, at least from my standpoint, from the other top unicorn like bigs (Holmgren and Banchero) in this draft is the quickness factor; the ability to switch out and guard perimeter players. In fact, many scouts liken his game to Rashard Lewis, who spent the majority of his NBA minutes creating mismatches at SF, long before the current pace-and-space era. Thus, Indiana - where Brissett has displayed the ability to guard either forward position - and Houston, as currently constructed, offer plenty of minutes as a SF. The difference: Indiana, with or without Turner, has a rim protector at their disposal (Jackson). A Wood, Sengun and Smith frontline in Houston would be hella interesting, at least in spurts.

[Revering4Blue]

They've certainly been the most consistent.

But they need, IMO, a healthy Paul to win it all.

Not sure that will happen.

Not sure that Cameron Johnson will return at close to full strength, and that could also make a difference.

[Revering4Blue]

One of the side effects of Boston going megaton on the rest of the league is it's removed some tarnish from Danny Ainge's reputation. When the team was scuffling for a year and a half and all the talk was about whether they should blow up the team, Ainge was (rightly) taking some heat for playing his hand wrong back when he had a zillion draft picks.

The Jays tend to get all of the focus, and Tatum and Brown have been outstanding in 2022. They're a lot to handle. It seems like they've finally answered the question about whether they can lead a serious contender (though they've got to deliver in the playoffs). Though more important for Ainge's rep are the supporting players. The Time Lord has become an elite rim protector/rim runner. Grant Williams is a quality stretch 4, straight out of the P.J. Tucker mold. Payton Pritchard suddenly can't miss from 3 and he's got the bench unit playing outstanding basketball. And, finally, Marcus Smart became a point guard. He wasn't one for a very long time because he didn't orchestrate and connect the team together, but now he is.

Ainge drafted all those guys. Pritchard and the Williamses were all picked in the 20s. That's real value out of picks that miss more often than they hit. There are, however, a few egregious errors that are only getting worse over time. The Romeo Lankford and Aaron Nesmith picks have both been swinging misses. They made San Antonio take Lankford in the Derrick Williams trade just to keep themselves below the cap penalty. Utterly useless player. Nesmith got drafted as a dead-eye shooter and he's almost comically incapable from distance. Teams don't even step out toward him when he gets the ball on the arc. They just let him misfire and grad the rebound.

And then there's the two who got away. Trading Matisse Thybulle for Carsen Edwards and Ty Jerome is inexcusable. It never made sense, and imagine Thybulle as part of Boston's switching, high energy defense. Also, they wouldn't have to play against him. No one likes playing against that guy. Yet he's not even the most slap-yourself-in-the-face trade Ainge made. Desmond Bane is the long distance killer they imagined Nesmith would be. He's lethal, and he's become one of the most dangerous players on Memphis' young, dynamic team. Ainge drafted him and traded him for two 2nd round picks that are going to fall in the 50s. Yikes. So, Ainge's end run with the Celtics will remain forever blemished even if it has been largely rehabilitated.

Maybe the lesson is that it is exceptionally hard to turn draft picks into a quality team. Even when you get a lot right -- the Tatum draft pick trade might be one of the all-time great moves in NBA history -- you still are going to mess up on a lot of kids.

- Time Lord has far outperformed several '18 draftees selected ahead of him in what was deemed a top-notch overall draft talentwise. Not many saw that coming and, even without the benefit of hindsight, should have.

- I'm on record as disliking the Grant Williams selection for the same reason as I disliked Phoenix selecting Cam Johnson. Both selections seemed to defy logic from the standpoint of reaching for a low-ceiling/high-floor player that seemingly would have been available much further down. Of course, both selections have really worked out well, so it's not an exact science. But it helps, as it helped Ainge at the time, to have multiple firsts at your disposal to take that kind of risk.

- Romeo Langford is made of glass. And, despite being a very capable defender, will very, very unlikely never come close to reaching his potential. That's been established. But he was still the highest rated player on board at the time. Thus, in real time, without the benefit of hindsight, it seemed like a worthwhile move unless Ainge had traded the pick for instant help.

The same cannot be said about the Nesmith selection - when Bey, who we were all extremely high on was there for the taking - as well as the decision to jettison the pick that turned out to be Bane. Those were mind-numbingly dumb at the time, no hindsight required.

[M2]

Romeo Langford is made of glass. And, despite being a very capable defender, will very, very unlikely never come close to reaching his potential. That's been established. But he was still the highest rated player on board at the time. Thus, in real time, without the benefit of hindsight, it seemed like a worthwhile move unless Ainge had traded the pick for instant help.

My knocks on the Langford pick are they knew he was made out of glass and it seemed like he kind of got exposed as wanting in the college ranks. I think they were hoping for Herro to drop one more pick and then got brain-locked when he didn't. By the time the dust settled they had Langford in pocket and they'd traded away Thybulle. If they were going to deal that #20 pick, they should have packaged it with #14 to move up and snag Herro. Phoenix surely would have been able to snag Cam Johnson at #14 if it had traded them #11.

[M2]

1-4 in the East are now separated by 1 game.

[goreds2]

Can’t believe 76ers at Suns is not on national TV tomorrow.

SUN MAR 27
FOOTPRINT CENTER,
PHOENIX, AZ
6:00PM ET
NBC SPORTS PHILADELPHIA
97.5 THE FANATIC

[M2]

I think the Heat might be a walking dead team. They have cratered. Brooklyn is crunching them into little pieces tonight. Miami's dropping to 4th in the East before this season is over. Can't even blame it on the other night's blow up. That's the symptom, not the cause.

Also, looks like the Bucks are on their way to a loss. That puts Philly 1st in the East by percentage points with the top four separated by half a game.

[SteelSD]

I think the Heat might be a walking dead team. They have cratered. Brooklyn is crunching them into little pieces tonight. Miami's dropping to 4th in the East before this season is over. Can't even blame it on the other night's blow up. That's the symptom, not the cause.

Also, looks like the Bucks are on their way to a loss. That puts Philly 1st in the East by percentage points with the top four separated by half a game.

The last couple of times I've watched Miami, they just seemed slow.

[SteelSD]

Welp, you can't throw up bricks for an entire half and expect to win. That being said, I hope the Suns buy Scott Foster something nice for his MVP-level contribution to their team today.

[M2]

The Celtics are a HEAVY team right now. Minnesota is good and it played well and still lost by 22. Tatum and Brown racked up 65. Boston is now at the top of the East (thought 1-4 are still only separated by 1/2 a game).

[M2]

In the comedy section of tonight's slate of games, Kyrie Irving made his return to the Barclays Center only to be gored LaMelo Ball. Kyrie went 6-22 from the floor while Melo went 33-7-9. Both teams are now tied with 7 games to play and, thanks to this win, the Hornets hold the tiebreaker. So Brooklyn has to finish better than Charlotte or it's looking at the long way (two wins, second one on the road) as its only way into the playoffs. This is a roundabout way of me saying I don't buy that a team struggling to finish in the top 8 is a threat to make the NBA finals.

[SteelSD]

In the comedy section of tonight's slate of games, Kyrie Irving made his return to the Barclays Center only to be gored LaMelo Ball. Kyrie went 6-22 from the floor while Melo went 33-7-9. Both teams are now tied with 7 games to play and, thanks to this win, the Hornets hold the tiebreaker. So Brooklyn has to finish better than Charlotte or it's looking at the long way (two wins, second one on the road) as its only way into the playoffs. This is a roundabout way of me saying I don't buy that a team struggling to finish in the top 8 is a threat to make the NBA finals.

I would heart a Boston/Brooklyn first round matchup.

[M2]

Dallas is only two games back of a rapidly collapsing Warriors (lost against the Wizards tonight) for 3rd in the West. The Mavs hold the tiebreaker and they've got a marshmallow-soft schedule.

[M2]

I would heart a Boston/Brooklyn first round matchup.

That would be some fun basketball. Also, few humans are despised anywhere as much as Kyrie in Boston, and that makes for great television.

[Boston Red]

The Lakers are going to have to play really well down the stretch to even make the play-in. I'd prefer to see them eliminated as soon as possible.

[texasdave]

Utah's window is closing rapidly. Mitchell is 26. Everyone else is getting up there in age. They got close, but this group doesn't appear likely to get a ring.

[Betterread]

Boston destroyed the Twolves. Better O, Better D and the best rebounding team we have seen this year. Tatum and brown played confidently, and when they failed, they confidently expected the refs to bail them out, which they did. Boston is a an awful place for an away team to play.

Congratulations Boston on the way you blend skill and bullying defense to get results.
I can see a Boston-Phoenix NBA finals. Where Phoenix will win.

[Betterread]

That would be some fun basketball. Also, few humans are despised anywhere as much as Kyrie in Boston, and that makes for great television.
No you are dead wrong. Boston despises the southern states and anything to do with them more than anything else. They hate Kentucky on down to Louisiana. Boston feels like it has to be some sort of liberal progressive example to the US.

[M2]

Utah's window is closing rapidly. Mitchell is 26. Everyone else is getting up there in age. They got close, but this group doesn't appear likely to get a ring.

They haven't even gotten that close. No conference finals, and they'll do well to get out of the first round this year. They need something, and I have no clue how they can get it (no cap space, limited trade chips). Maybe Ainge can find someone who's just got to have Rudy Gobert.

[Betterread]

Welp, you can't throw up bricks for an entire half and expect to win. That being said, I hope the Suns buy Scott Foster something nice for his MVP-level contribution to their team today.
So Fiippant! Aren’t you worried about being outspent to influence Foster? He has a track record for favoring Philly and Boston.

[M2]

No you are dead wrong. Boston despises the southern states and anything to do with them more than anything else. They hate Kentucky on down to Louisiana. Boston feels like it has to be some sort of liberal progressive example to the US.

Really? You'd think that subject would have come up at least once in my 30+ years of living here. Do you think when, say, the Hawks come to town everybody is rabid and constantly reminding them of William Tecumseh Sherman? Or that Red Sox fans live to stick to the Astros? Because I can tell you the entire ACC heads to BC just up the road a bit from me every year and it's like no one even notices.

Please tell me you're not mad because the Celtics beat the Wolves tonight. They're beating everybody right now. I don't even understand how they clicked into juggernaut mode, and I'm not a Celtics fan so I've got no skin in that game. They play near me and they're a good watch. That's as far as it goes with me.

[M2]

The Lakers are going to have to play really well down the stretch to even make the play-in. I'd prefer to see them eliminated as soon as possible.

Just noticed San Antonio is right on their heels and the Lakers have a bear of a schedule. Though the Lakers hold the tiebreaker. That would be stunning if L.A. didn't even finish top 10.

[SteelSD]

So Fiippant! Aren’t you worried about being outspent to influence Foster? He has a track record for favoring Philly and Boston.

You say weird things out of the blue. There probably isn't a Sixers fan alive who believes that Scott Foster is anything but a completely inept official whose primary motivation is to leave his own mark on whatever game he's working. He's the NBA version of former NFL official Ed Hochuli.

[dubc47834]

Since things are going bad it's Rob Pelinka's fault. If they were going well, Bron would get the credit. :laugh:

For sure...that's the problem with Lebron for me. He's always willing to take the credit, but when it's time to lay blame, Lebron is never rarely accepting of it. Players using their clout to put together teams is part of the NBA, I get it, but these players rarely want to step up and say "Ya know what, that's on me".

[dubc47834]

Last year, we had a similar argument. You jumped up one side of me and down the other.

With Philly's first round exit, you were proven wrong.

Let's see what happens this year.

And just for the record, 33 TOs is a ton-- especially for a guy who doesn't handle the ball. That's nearly five turnovers a game. In a seven-game series, that absolutely cost the Sixers. I'd be shocked you don't see that, but your Embiid fandom is strong.

Would be interesting to know of those 33 TO's, how many points were scored off of them.

[Kingspoint]

The Lakers are going to have to play really well down the stretch to even make the play-in. I'd prefer to see them eliminated as soon as possible.

6 of their remaining games are againts playoff teams. They are going to need a ton of help from the referees. Westbrook was absolutely horrible last night.

[Kingspoint]

For those talking about turnovers, the usage rate of the MVP candidates has most of them leading the NBA in turnovers-per-game. It's accepted by Coaches. Doncic leads the league.

[M2]

For those talking about turnovers, the usage rate of the MVP candidates has most of them leading the NBA in turnovers-per-game. It's accepted by Coaches. Doncic leads the league.

All right, but you get why "it's accepted by coaches," don't you? Magic Johnson was in the league top 10 in turnovers for 10 straight years, in the top 5 for 8 of them. John Stockton spent 8 straight years in the top 10, 6 of them in the top 5. The players who are handling the ball the most, passing the most, creating the most - that's who'll turn over the ball the most. You can have that person be Luka Doncic or Delon Wright. Which one would you choose?

[klw]

Time Lord is out for several weeks with torn meniscus. Drat.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33615782/sources-boston-celtics-center-robert-williams-torn-meniscus-least-several-weeks

[M2]

6 of their remaining games are againts playoff teams. They are going to need a ton of help from the referees. Westbrook was absolutely horrible last night.

Maybe this is because I don't have a favorite team, but I don't think refs play that big a role in game outcomes. They miss plenty of calls (though a lot of it is just judgment calls that could go either way, or often be a non-call), but I don't see patterns to it. If you ask most fans they'll tell you the refs are always giving calls to the other team and to teams/players they root against. That's universal.

If the only thing that can save the Lakers is the refs, then the Lakers are toast because the refs won't save them. What the Lakers have going for them is the tiebreaker and that San Antonio has five games remaining against playoff teams (though two gimmies against Portland). However, on current form, the Spurs should pass them. L.A.'s troubles are snowballing. They go to Dallas and Utah next. Then they're home against New Orleans (which has Brandon Ingram back). If they go 0-3 in those games that might be lights out for them.

[M2]

Time Lord is out for several weeks with torn meniscus. Drat.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33615782/sources-boston-celtics-center-robert-williams-torn-meniscus-least-several-weeks

Big blow to Boston. He's been fantastic. Al Horford, Daniel Theis and Grant Williams have got some big minutes to soak up. Time Lord's O-D rating was 148-102. That's crazy impact.

[Kingspoint]

All right, but you get why "it's accepted by coaches," don't you? Magic Johnson was in the league top 10 in turnovers for 10 straight years, in the top 5 for 8 of them. John Stockton spent 8 straight years in the top 10, 6 of them in the top 5. The players who are handling the ball the most, passing the most, creating the most - that's who'll turn over the ball the most. You can have that person be Luka Doncic or Delon Wright. Which one would you choose?

That's what I was saying.

[Kingspoint]

A.D. practiced today, but he and LeBron are out Tuesday vs DAL.

- - - Updated - - -

Refs fix games just as much as 1 + 1 = 2.

The Sun will rise tomorrow. The Refs will favor players and teams in every game in the NBA tomorrow.

NBA refs are the most unbiased in all of sports.

Refs blatantly favor players in games as often as players blatantly flop in Soccer games....about once a minute.

[M2]

Refs fix games just as much as 1 + 1 = 2.

The Sun will rise tomorrow. The Refs will favor players and teams in every game in the NBA tomorrow.

NBA refs are the most unbiased in all of sports.

Refs blatantly favor players in games as often as players blatantly flop in Soccer games....about once a minute.

And they'll always be against whatever team/player you're rooting for. It's amazing how every fan has the same story and they're out to get everyone.

My take is I don't see anything in the modern NBA as blatant as the Michael Jordan Gets Unlimited Steps Rule.

[Boston Red]

Michael Jordan Gets Unlimited Steps Rule.

And unlimited fouls once he got to 4 that were actually called on him.

[Betterread]

Is it a fix when one day your stars play and they play hard and win, and the next day, the two stars have “sore knees” and the team plays poorly and give the game away?
On Sunday Pritchard and Smart are talking trash and walking around with big egos. On Monday they can’t pass can’t shoot, and definitely aren’t talking trash. Those morons will cost Boston dearly when games count.

[M2]

Is it a fix when one day your stars play and they play hard and win, and the next day, the two stars have “sore knees” and the team plays poorly and give the game away?
On Sunday Pritchard and Smart are talking trash and walking around with big egos. On Monday they can’t pass can’t shoot, and definitely aren’t talking trash. Those morons will cost Boston dearly when games count.

You are really angry about that loss yesterday. I don't know what to tell you other than your guys got beat. It happens. The Celtics definitely should have won tonight and screwed it up when they fell into their old bad habit of not moving the ball at the end of the game. Yet they did almost win a game on the road against a tough team without 4/5 of their starting lineup (though Time Lord's out, possibly not to return until next season).

[SteelSD]

Bucks/Sixers was a good game. The game was lost when Rivers inexplicably decided that Paul Milsap could guard Giannis in the fourth quarter. I think he's the only coach on the planet who actually believes that Milsap should get minutes. Had a shot to win at the end, but Giannis had a great block on Embiid, which pretty much ended things and made the replay overturn jump ball pointless. Good job, Bucks.

[Mutaman]

Giannis with a wonderful block on Embiid for the win. This will have no effect on the MVP vote because in 2022 no one cares about defense.
Offensively- Giannis with 40.

[SteelSD]

Giannis with a wonderful block on Embiid for the win. This will have no effect on the MVP vote because in 2022 no one cares about defense.
Offensively- Giannis with 40.

Well, Embiid did lead Giannis in Defensive Rating (107.5 to 107.6) coming into the game. That was a good block though.

[Mutaman]

Giannis comes out of nowhere to block the shot with his left hand, then swats it out of bounce with his right.



http://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=33626326

[SteelSD]

Giannis comes out of nowhere to block the shot with his left hand, then swats it out of bounce with his right.



http://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=33626326

I'd be totally fine if Giannis did that over and over again to Kevin Durant in the first round of the playoffs. Make that happen!

[Bourgeois Zee]

Maxey seemed a step slow all night.

Might be wearing out a bit.

[SteelSD]

Maxey seemed a step slow all night.

Might be wearing out a bit.

I think the Bucks had a good gameplan for him. It seems like when they switched onto him, they got a good length matchup. And yeah, he played 40 minutes. They probably do need to rest him at some point; his shots were all coming up way short as the game progressed and his usual circus shots on drives were simply too altered to go in. But that's one of the problems with playing Milsap at the start of the fourth when the Bucks took advantage of his ability to do nothing- the Sixers were forced to play their starters more minutes than usual because of it. It also altered their use of Thybulle as Rivers seems to want Green's offense out there when they're behind. So maybe not losing the lead in the first place by playing Paul freakin' Milsap would be a better plan, eh? Frustrating to watch.

I dunno if that was Rivers trying, one last time, to determine if Milsap is playable in the playoffs (anyone should know by now he's not), but they needed to go with more length on the floor- especially considering how well Paul Reed did guarding Giannis previously.

[M2]

We have movement in the West. Rejuvenated by the return of Paul George, the Clippers came back from way behind the Jazz for a win. Utah is now tied with Denver, and it has a much tougher schedule. Down on the ragged edge of the play-in qualification, the rapidly dying Lakers are tied with the Spurs. They need this season to end so they can erase it from their minds.

[Boston Red]

The Lakers will probably win in Utah Thursday. The Jazz are just atrocious and haven't beaten the Lakers in two years.

[M2]

The Lakers will probably win in Utah Thursday. The Jazz are just atrocious and haven't beaten the Lakers in two years.

I like Utah's chances in that game. The Lakers are in corpse mode.

[KoryMac5]

I like Utah's chances in that game. The Lakers are in corpse mode.

Yeah Dallas put up 82 at the half against them last night in a nationally televised game. It was bad...

[BuckeyeRed27]

I knew this was going to be a tough Jazz road trip, but 5 losses in a row and blowing a 25 point second half lead to the Clippers was definitely worse than I thought.

Tony Jones from the Athletic had an article the other day that pointed out the Jazz are 27-11 this season when they have their regular rotation healthy. They are now 18-20 when any one member is missing. The point was basically getting healthy was way more important than any seed at this point.

[M2]

I knew this was going to be a tough Jazz road trip, but 5 losses in a row and blowing a 25 point second half lead to the Clippers was definitely worse than I thought.

Tony Jones from the Athletic had an article the other day that pointed out the Jazz are 27-11 this season when they have their regular rotation healthy. They are now 18-20 when any one member is missing. The point was basically getting healthy was way more important than any seed at this point.

And finishing #6 where you face a potentially Steph-less Golden State isn't such a bad spot, unless Dallas catches Golden State and then you'd have wanted to finish 5th.

[BuckeyeRed27]

And finishing #6 where you face a potentially Steph-less Golden State isn't such a bad spot, unless Dallas catches Golden State and then you'd have wanted to finish 5th.

Yeah I mean everyone is going to be tough. Is Steph going to be out for the playoffs? I assumed he would be back.

[M2]

Yeah I mean everyone is going to be tough. Is Steph going to be out for the playoffs? I assumed he would be back.

I have assumed it too, but I don't think it's a lock. Plus, will he be 100%? Also, they're a mess with Klay on the floor. Just based on form, they've got to be the higher seed you'd want to face.

[Betterread]

Yeah I mean everyone is going to be tough. Is Steph going to be out for the playoffs? I assumed he would be back.

He’s rehabbing now so the plan is that he will be back before the end of the regular season.

[15fan]

Hawks-OKC with a palindrome score at half tonight. 85-58.

(85 points not a bad first 24 minutes of work by Hawks.)

[M2]

This is shaping up as the night the top 6 in each conference got put on lock. In the East, 7th place Cleveland is now two games back of 6th with 6 to play. Minnesota is about to lose to Toronto, which will put it 2.5 games back of 6th with 5 to play. While I like the intrigue the play-in format brings it's a shame that two young teams like this that have had breakthrough seasons won't have automatic berths.

[Bourgeois Zee]

Jokic was 15-19 tonight. One assist short of another triple double.

But the biggest news of the night is the Heat taking the Celtics out at home. Boston folded late, while Miami found its wayward shooting eye. Bam went for 17/12/8 in the Time Lord's absence.

[M2]

Jokic was 15-19 tonight. One assist short of another triple double.

But the biggest news of the night is the Heat taking the Celtics out at home. Boston folded late, while Miami found its wayward shooting eye. Bam went for 17/12/8 in the Time Lord's absence.

Boston is not going to be the same without the Time Lord.

[Kingspoint]

And finishing #6 where you face a potentially Steph-less Golden State isn't such a bad spot, unless Dallas catches Golden State and then you'd have wanted to finish 5th.

Caught them Wednesday Night and passed them, owning the tie-breaker against them.

[Kingspoint]

With Paul George's return, the Clippers are relevant again.

[M2]

With Paul George's return, the Clippers are relevant again.

If they get Kawhi back too, they probably become the main challenger to the Suns in the West.

[BuckeyeRed27]

If they get Kawhi back too, they probably become the main challenger to the Suns in the West.

That is probably going to be the first round series.

[Bourgeois Zee]

That is probably going to be the first round series.

I'm guessing Monty is hoping that Kawhi isn't quite done baking yet.

Mikal Bridges can only guard one of those guys.

[BuckeyeRed27]

I'm guessing Monty is hoping that Kawhi isn't quite done baking yet.

Mikal Bridges can only guard one of those guys.

Yeah either Phoenix or Memphis is getting screwed.

[M2]

That is probably going to be the first round series.

If they've got PG and Powell I'd put them even money with the Wolves to win the play-in game for the #7 seed. They were in the West finals last season with their no-Kawhi version. If Kawhi emerges in the next two weeks, then I think they're close to a lock to win that game. That might put them in a bracket with Memphis, Dallas and Utah. I would pick the full roster version of the Clips to emerge from that group.

[M2]

Two things in the West I've got my eye on:

Does anyone think the Nuggets or Jazz can close the two games on the Warriors to take the #4 seed? Golden State has an extremely soft remaining schedule, but they are playing poorly enough to lose what should be easy contests. Just to add to the potential chaos: the Nuggets hold the tiebreak on the Warriors, who hold the tiebreak on the Jazz, who hold the tiebreak on the Nuggets.

And will New Orleans or Memphis get the Lakers' draft pick? 1-10 it goes to NO, any higher and it goes to Memphis.

[texasdave]

Ja Morant has missed 21 games this season. The Grizzlies are 19-2 over those same 21 games. Memphis plays at a .625 clip when he is on the court, and at a .904 clip when he's not. A .904 clip would result in 74 wins, most ever by an NBA squad.

[BuckeyeRed27]

Ja Morant has missed 21 games this season. The Grizzlies are 19-2 over those same 21 games. Memphis plays at a .625 clip when he is on the court, and at a .904 clip when he's not. A .904 clip would result in 74 wins, most ever by an NBA squad.

https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask?q=grizzlies+record+without+ja+morant+2021-22

Here are the games. It’s crazy no matter what, but it’s also a lot of bad teams or they caught a good team without their best players (Luka, Embiid).

[Mutaman]

Bucks/Nets: Bad officiating, bad announcing,bad TNT production-but just a superb basketball game.
KD v Giannis is something. Giannis hits the 3 at the end of regulation to tie, makes 2 fts to win. Two huge back to back games on the road for him. And breaks Kareem's Buck's scoring record in the process.

[M2]

The Nets, Hornets and Hawks are all tied for 8th in the East.

[klw]

nm

[Rojo Rijo]

Giannis is a DOG...pencil them in for another championship for me.

[KoryMac5]

Luka v Giannis is must see TV this week

[15fan]

The Nets, Hornets and Hawks are all tied for 8th in the East.

And a depleted, fading Cleveland 2 games ahead of them. Cleveland’s remaining schedule:

@NY, vs Phi, @ Orl, @ BKN and vs Mil.

Race for the 7 spot still open IMO.

[Bourgeois Zee]

A new topic:

Playoff basketball typically depends on scorers more than shooters. One-on-one basketball is typically rewarded (and bailed out), while team offenses tend to dry up. Which teams, in your opinion, are likely to struggle to score the ball? Which are built for the post-season?

[KoryMac5]

A new topic:

Playoff basketball typically depends on scorers more than shooters. One-on-one basketball is typically rewarded (and bailed out), while team offenses tend to dry up. Which teams, in your opinion, are likely to struggle to score the ball? Which are built for the post-season?

Tough to say some teams just go cold at the wrong time...Boston, Dallas, and Memphis could all struggle. Dallas always fascinates me because they look like world beaters some games and then they have a clunker where Bullock goes 1-13...plus these 3 teams struggle to shoot the 3

Phoenix, Milwaukee, Brooklyn, Philly....seem to have a nice mix of scorers and shooters that could allow them to make a nice push.

[M2]

And a depleted, fading Cleveland 2 games ahead of them. Cleveland’s remaining schedule:

@NY, vs Phi, @ Orl, @ BKN and vs Mil.

Race for the 7 spot still open IMO.

Agreed. Cleveland's got to win against the Knicks and the Magic. Failure to do that will invite chaos. Brooklyn's the team with the biggest variance, IMO, because it can help or hurt itself the most with games against Atlanta and Cleveland.

And people keep talking about how no one wants the Nets, but in a one-game situation Trae Young is a terrifying proposition. Like, if it's Hawks-Nets, Trae is definitely going to challenge Kyrie to a cook off.

[M2]

A new topic:

Playoff basketball typically depends on scorers more than shooters. One-on-one basketball is typically rewarded (and bailed out), while team offenses tend to dry up. Which teams, in your opinion, are likely to struggle to score the ball? Which are built for the post-season?

Phoenix is probably the most share-happy among the elite teams. Miami also could bog down. Milwaukee has Giannis, Middleton and Holiday, all of whom can generate offense all by themselves. I think the key for Philly is Harden prioritizes facilitating for Maxey and Harris over himself. That will buy him more space later in a series. Boston's got two guys who can average 60 a night between them.

Whether anyone can challenge Phoenix in the West is still going to come down to health. Steph, Jamal Murray and Kawhi can change that picture rapidly.

[Betterread]

The NBA messed up in December/ January with omicron. Bulls, Raptors and Nuggets all had 3 games “postponed” while other teams scrambled to fill rosters. Now at the end of the year, they are in the top 6, while the Wolves and Cavs with 0 games “postponed”, who followed the rules are at #7. I blame the commissioner. He needed to be consistent and fair, and he wasn’t.

[membengal]

Hello Memphis. Four starters resting. Also resting back-up PG. then wax the full strength Suns.

[Betterread]

Twolves beat Denver in a well played, playoff atmosphere game. Jokic is the S___, but minny won 3 of 4. if Denver can play like this and have a healthy Murray and Porter, they could be the class of the Western Conference. Next year. But this year, they will not advance. Too bad. Jokic deserves better. He is way more skilled and effective than Embiid. MVP of the NBA.

[Betterread]

Roco with a career high 43 on 11-18 3s in a 153-118 win over the bucks who “rested” gIannis, Middleton and Jrue.

[M2]

Hello Memphis. Four starters resting. Also resting back-up PG. then wax the full strength Suns.

In the Celtics postgame tonight, they were looking ahead at the schedule and noted how Memphis might be resting a lot of guys for the final game of the season. And that's exactly when they pointed to tonight's game and said maybe there is no such thing as an easy night in Memphis.

[M2]

Lakers gassed at the end of the game against Nola tonight. The Pelicans are all but assured of that #9 slot, and L.A. needs to play two games better than San Antonio over the next five in order to make the playoffs. San Antonio's magic number is 4.

[M2]

Just noticed Philly is playing the way I thought might be their best path forward. They are up 23 on the Hornets at the end of the 3rd and Harden has 13 assists while being 4th on the scoresheet. If he becomes a pass-first guy for the rest of the year, the Sixers are going to be a handful.

[BuckeyeRed27]

Cavs won and Charlotte lost. Atlanta and Brooklyn play tonight, so no matter what Cleveland will be up 3 games with 4 to play over the 9/10 spots and still have a game against Orlando. Should be good to stay in at least 8 and get the double elimination spot.

[goreds2]

Sorry this is somewhat off topic via talking about the season. As a 76ers fan, I was just wondering what Andrew Toney is up to. I knew he was very good but impressed what some peers thought about the shooting guard on the world champion 83 76ers team.


Williams said that when he was a general manager back in the days of their great rivalry with the Lakers and Sixers (c. 1980–1983), he asked Danny Ainge, the Celtics guard, what player he worried about the most come playoff time. "Not Magic or Dr. J, it's Andrew Toney that keeps me awake at night!" said Ainge. Williams went on to say that were it not for injuries Toney would have been a Hall of Famer. Charles Barkley stated that Toney was the best player he ever played with.


https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Toney

[BuckeyeRed27]

Jazz had a 16 point lead with 6 minutes to go and only scored 4 more points and lost to the Warriors.

No idea what is wrong with this team.

[M2]

Jazz had a 16 point lead with 6 minutes to go and only scored 4 more points and lost to the Warriors.

No idea what is wrong with this team.

They need a forward who can attack off the dribble.

[BuckeyeRed27]

They need a forward who can attack off the dribble.

If you are blowing multiple double digit fourth quarter leads like the Jazz are, the problem isn’t tactical.

[KoryMac5]

Dallas brings home a huge win in Milwaukee...Bucks have now dropped 2 straight.

Luka had a 32/8/15 line and Dallas shot 42% from deep...

[M2]

If the Spurs finish off the Blazers tonight, might as well stick a fork in the Lakers.

[15fan]

Durant and Kyrie combined for 86 points last night vs. Hawks and lost.

Hawks w 46 bench points, Nets with 12. Nets starter Paddy Mills logged 31 minutes and scored just as many points as I did: 0.

[texasdave]

LeBron was being interviewed today and said that if he had gone to college (and couldn't say Ohio State) that he would have picked between UNC and Duke.

[Betterread]

Bickerstaff is furious and emphatic that Cleveland was done wrong by biased referreeing v Philly. I didn’t see the game. What do people say who watched the contest?

[SteelSD]

Bickerstaff is furious and emphatic that Cleveland was done wrong by biased referreeing v Philly. I didnÂ’t see the game. What do people say who watched the contest?

I get that Cleveland is desperate to avoid the Play-In round, but Bickerstaff is grasping at straws. The officials gave Cleveland 31 trips to the line themselves (9 above their season average), called three early fouls on Maxey (who had to sit for most of the first half), and completely botched what should have been an easy Flagrant I (at least) call when Tobias Harris had a cut opened under his left eye from a defender whacking him in the head when he went up for a dunk. Embiid got to the line 20 times because Bickerstaff tried to defend him with Moses Brown and a hapless Lauri Markannen, as both Mobley and Allen are currently shelved. Cleveland played hyper-aggressive defense all night long and Lamar Stevens, in particular, was borderline out of control at that end.

Yet, Cleveland still had a chance to tie the game late, until they threw an inbounds pass to Thybulle with 7 seconds left.

[BuckeyeRed27]

Bickerstaff is furious and emphatic that Cleveland was done wrong by biased referreeing v Philly. I didn’t see the game. What do people say who watched the contest?

It was bad. For all the crap they called to not call the foul on Garland at the end was completely ridiculous.

[Betterread]

It was bad. For all the crap they called to not call the foul on Garland at the end was completely ridiculous.

I saw the replay. Embiid got his elbow. Should have been a foul and two shots. But why did Garland go diving out of bounds? That seemed weird, because he didn’t get pushed. Embiid made contact only with his elbow. Maybe that thew off the referees.

[Betterread]

I get that Cleveland is desperate to avoid the Play-In round, but Bickerstaff is grasping at straws. The officials gave Cleveland 31 trips to the line themselves (9 above their season average), called three early fouls on Maxey (who had to sit for most of the first half), and completely botched what should have been an easy Flagrant I (at least) call when Tobias Harris had a cut opened under his left eye from a defender whacking him in the head when he went up for a dunk. Embiid got to the line 20 times because Bickerstaff tried to defend him with Moses Brown and a hapless Lauri Markannen, as both Mobley and Allen are currently shelved. Cleveland played hyper-aggressive defense all night long and Lamar Stevens, in particular, was borderline out of control at that end.

Yet, Cleveland still had a chance to tie the game late, until they threw an inbounds pass to Thybulle with 7 seconds left.
I hear you! Philly deserves 40, no 50 FTs every game because…..we should throw them a few games because they are also-rans I have seen enough harden-embiid to confirm my worst fears. They will play for whistles because they don’t want to test their game. They just want the easy way, the refs to gift them points.
Giannis, Jokic outplay Enbiid consistently. He’s very good. But not championship good.

[SteelSD]

I saw the replay. Embiid got his elbow. Should have been a foul and two shots. But why did Garland go diving out of bounds? That seemed weird, because he didn’t get pushed. Embiid made contact only with his elbow. Maybe that thew off the referees.

You mean this play?

18166

There's no real contact there. After that, Garland landed, kicked out his back leg and flopped like a wet bag of spuds.

[SteelSD]

I hear you! Philly deserves 40, no 50 FTs every game because…..we should throw them a few games because they are also-rans I have seen enough harden-embiid to confirm my worst fears. They will play for whistles because they don’t want to test their game. They just want the easy way, the refs to gift them points.
Giannis, Jokic outplay Enbiid consistently. He’s very good. But not championship good.

Again, you say very strange things, seemingly out of nowhere. You asked for an answer from someone who watched the game. I answered. Apparently, my reward is even stranger trash-talk, but on a cat-trying-to-open-doorknob level. And please, do tell, what championship has Jokic won again?

[Betterread]

You mean this play?

18166

There's no real contact there. After that, Garland landed, kicked out his back leg and flopped like a wet bag of spuds.
The screen shot you show is a split second after it looks like Embiid hits his left elbow. But it’s very fast and garland’s weird reaction is a factor.
Just saying what I see. And what I see is a foul but if it is missed I can see reasons why.

[Betterread]

Again, you say very strange things, seemingly out of nowhere. You asked for an answer from someone who watched the game. I answered. Apparently, my reward is even stranger trash-talk, but on a cat-trying-to-open-doorknob level. And please, do tell, what championship has Jokic won again?
Just an opinion based on a lot of extrapolation. Harden-Embiid are super talented. The question is the mental part of the game for them. And they are masters of some of the mental parts of the game.

[SteelSD]

The screen shot you show is a split second after it looks like Embiid hits his left elbow. But itÂ’s very fast and garlandÂ’s weird reaction is a factor.
Just saying what I see. And what I see is a foul but if it is missed I can see reasons why.

It wasn't missed. It just didn't really happen. While Rivers shouldn't have had to challenge a foul call on that, it would have been a pretty easy overturn based on the replay angles I'm seeing. Even the Cleveland announcers were non-committal about it. As I watched the Sixers broadcast live, I didn't even realize that anyone thought that was a foul because it didn't even register with anyone as a possible foul. Heck, I see drives like that from Maxey half a dozen times a game and that's not a foul for him either.


Just an opinion based on a lot of extrapolation. Harden-Embiid are super talented. The question is the mental part of the game for them. And they are masters of some of the mental parts of the game.

I know an attempt at trash talk when I see it. At least own up to it, as brutal and silly as it was. "...throw the a few games...they don't want to test their game...gift them points..."

Pretty disingenous to ask a question and then throw that kind of garbage at someone when they put in the effort to type an honest response.

[Mutaman]

. And please, do tell, what championship has jokic won again?

won the first round last year

[BuckeyeRed27]

You mean this play?

18166

There's no real contact there. After that, Garland landed, kicked out his back leg and flopped like a wet bag of spuds.

It wasn’t an egregious foul, but given what they had called against Cleveland all night it was a foul. There’s no chance it would have gotten overturned because there was contact. It’s also situationally a huge miss because the Cavs would either be tied or ahead had they called it.

That was just a bad situational example. They were very poor the entire game and Bickerstaff is right, had they called it normally the Cavs win.

[Chip R]

Lakers gassed at the end of the game against Nola tonight. The Pelicans are all but assured of that #9 slot, and L.A. needs to play two games better than San Antonio over the next five in order to make the playoffs. San Antonio's magic number is 4.

As a long time Laker hater, I would take pleasure in them not making the playoffs but if that happened, they would be in the lottery and more than likely draft high. So I hope they make the playoffs but go out in the first round.

[BuckeyeRed27]

As a long time Laker hater, I would take pleasure in them not making the playoffs but if that happened, they would be in the lottery and more than likely draft high. So I hope they make the playoffs but go out in the first round.

The Lakers don’t have their pick. It goes to Memphis or New Orleans depending on what pick it ends up being.

[Chip R]

The Lakers don’t have their pick. It goes to Memphis or New Orleans depending on what pick it ends up being.

Oh! Even better.

[SteelSD]

It wasn’t an egregious foul, but given what they had called against Cleveland all night it was a foul. There’s no chance it would have gotten overturned because there was contact. It’s also situationally a huge miss because the Cavs would either be tied or ahead had they called it.

That was just a bad situational example. They were very poor the entire game and Bickerstaff is right, had they called it normally the Cavs win.

Where exactly do you think Garland got hit? I'm trying to figure it out, because he got the ball up, unimpeded, with full extension. It was just a terrible, out of control shot.

And what do you think "normally" looks like when Moses Brown and Lauri Markannen try to handle Joel Embiid? I think you saw it.

Cavs had their chances. Could have pounced on Philly when they were missing the broad side of multiple barns in the first half. Didn't. Could have hit a couple more of the nine extra foul shots they got themselves. But they missed. Could have tied the game with 7.2 second on the clock with a three. But they threw it to Matisse Thybulle instead. Been there. Seen that. It happens.

[BuckeyeRed27]

Where exactly do you think Garland got hit? I'm trying to figure it out, because he got the ball up, unimpeded, with full extension. It was just a terrible, out of control shot.

And what do you think "normally" looks like when Moses Brown and Lauri Markannen try to handle Joel Embiid? I think you saw it.

Cavs had their chances. Could have pounced on Philly when they were missing the broad side of multiple barns in the first half. Didn't. Could have hit a couple more of the nine extra foul shots they got themselves. But they missed. Could have tied the game with 7.2 second on the clock with a three. But they threw it to Matisse Thybulle instead. Been there. Seen that. It happens.

If you watch the video and not a carefully selected screen shot he obviously gets him on the arm and probably catches his head a bit after the ball is gone. It’s a foul. Stop being ridiculous.

Harden also fouled Markannen on the inbound play to free himself up on the play right after this too.

[Bourgeois Zee]

If you watch the video and not a carefully selected screen shot he obviously gets him on the arm and probably catches his head a bit after the ball is gone. It’s a foul. Stop being ridiculous.

Embiid absolutely hacked him.

9:20


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1UUxKmK19o

[Bourgeois Zee]

Detroit has gone 12-12 since mid February.

Bagley has been a find, Cunningham has settled in as a point forward, and Saddiq Bey has found his 3-and-D mojo.

Which kind of makes what happens this off-season interesting.

Jerami Grant is a very, very good player. He might not be an All-Star, but he's pretty close. He also plays the same position as both Cunningham and Bey. The Pistons could move Bagley to center, Grant to PF, install Bey at SF, and Cunningham at PG and roll with a jumbo-sized Swiss Army knife of wings. (With Hami Diallo as the defensive stopper at guard, that makes some sense.)

They're going to have all sorts of options picking somewhere in the early lottery, almost assuredly deciding between Jaden Ivey, Shaedon Sharpe, and Johnny Davis in the top 10.

Do they deal Grant? What would you take for him?

[RedTeamGo!]

If you watch the video and not a carefully selected screen shot he obviously gets him on the arm and probably catches his head a bit after the ball is gone. It’s a foul. Stop being ridiculous.

Harden also fouled Markannen on the inbound play to free himself up on the play right after this too.

I don't know. Personally, I think showing 1 frame of a video absolutely proves no foul was committed by Embiid and not at all biased.

That was a clown post, lol

[Rojo Rijo]

Detroit has gone 12-12 since mid February.

Bagley has been a find, Cunningham has settled in as a point forward, and Saddiq Bey has found his 3-and-D mojo.

Which kind of makes what happens this off-season interesting.

Jerami Grant is a very, very good player. He might not be an All-Star, but he's pretty close. He also plays the same position as both Cunningham and Bey. The Pistons could move Bagley to center, Grant to PF, install Bey at SF, and Cunningham at PG and roll with a jumbo-sized Swiss Army knife of wings. (With Hami Diallo as the defensive stopper at guard, that makes some sense.)

They're going to have all sorts of options picking somewhere in the early lottery, almost assuredly deciding between Jaden Ivey, Shaedon Sharpe, and Johnny Davis in the top 10.

Do they deal Grant? What would you take for him?

Out of everything Lebron has done in his career one thing that i've always found incredible was his ability to step into the NBA less than 8 months after playing HS basketball and average 20.9/5.5/5.9.

Cade Cunningham as a 19 year old is averaging 17.3/5.5/5.5 in his first year.

Lebron shot .417/.290/.754 his first year
Cade has shot .419/.319/.839

Cade is going to be special.

[SteelSD]

If you watch the video and not a carefully selected screen shot he obviously gets him on the arm and probably catches his head a bit after the ball is gone. It’s a foul. Stop being ridiculous.

Harden also fouled Markannen on the inbound play to free himself up on the play right after this too.

If it was obvious, you should be able to point out specifically where and when Embiid "fouled" him. And it sure as heck wasn't on the head. You'd have to be blind to think Embiid got anywhere near his head.

18170

I have NBA.com game replay access, which means that I get every angle available for every broadcast and can basically replay frame by frame. The following screen shot is a fraction of a second after the last one and there's no screen shot before it where your dude gets hit in the head. I know you wanted it to have happened, but it simply didn't happen.

18171

As for BZ and RTG- Do you cats need me to actually go multi-angle frame by frame on this? Is that really what you want? Think carefully before responding.

[Bourgeois Zee]

As for BZ and RTG- Do you cats need me to actually go multi-angle frame by frame on this? Is that really what you want? Think carefully before responding.

The NBA disagrees with your frame-by-frame analysis:


The NBA says that Sixers star Joel Embiid did foul #Cavs guard Darius Garland with 17.4 left in the game.

[SteelSD]

The NBA disagrees with your frame-by-frame analysis:

And yet, you can't find a single angle where Embiid makes contact with Garland's shooting arm as he brings the ball up, extends, and follows through pre-flop. Yet I'm supposed to believe that he was "hacked" and, apparently, that he was hit in the head.

Harden did foul Markannen on the inbound play though. It was right after Stevens held Tobias Harris all the way across the floor on the same play.

Hold Number 1:
18172

Here's what must be like Hold Number 8:
18173

Should have been an away from the play foul- a shot and the ball for the Sixers. I'd also be surprised if the officials didn't miss a bunch of defensive 3 second calls on Cleveland throughout the game. Cleveland got calls. A bunch of 'em.

But I do love how triggered folks get about some Sixers offensive players getting a bunch of free throws. I told ya' that was gonna' happen.

Oh, and I see Ben Simmons is out for at least the play-in round for the Nets. Best laid plans and all, I guess, huh?

[texasdave]

This isn't such bad company to be in:

Jalen Green has joined some Hall of Fame company with his active streak of four straight 30-point performances. The last two rookies to accomplish that feat: Allen Iverson in 1996-97 and Michael Jordan in 1984-85.

[BuckeyeRed27]

And yet, you can't find a single angle where Embiid makes contact with Garland's shooting arm as he brings the ball up, extends, and follows through pre-flop. Yet I'm supposed to believe that he was "hacked" and, apparently, that he was hit in the head.

Harden did foul Markannen on the inbound play though. It was right after Stevens held Tobias Harris all the way across the floor on the same play.

Hold Number 1:
18172

Here's what must be like Hold Number 8:
18173

Should have been an away from the play foul- a shot and the ball for the Sixers. I'd also be surprised if the officials didn't miss a bunch of defensive 3 second calls on Cleveland throughout the game. Cleveland got calls. A bunch of 'em.

But I do love how triggered folks get about some Sixers offensive players getting a bunch of free throws. I told ya' that was gonna' happen.

Oh, and I see Ben Simmons is out for at least the play-in round for the Nets. Best laid plans and all, I guess, huh?

I don’t care about the 76ers at all. I don’t find them an enjoyable team to watch. I think Embiid is great.

You keep posting screen shots like that proves anything. If you have a video that shows Embiid not fouling, please post it.
It looks like a foul on the game angle and the NBA 2 minute report called it a foul and presumably they have access to all these same awesome angles you have.

[Boston Red]

I'm not understanding why a Steelers fan in SD gets so worked up about 76ers posts from strangers on a Cincinnati Reds message board.

[SteelSD]

I donÂ’t care about the 76ers at all. I donÂ’t find them an enjoyable team to watch. I think Embiid is great.

You keep posting screen shots like that proves anything. If you have a video that shows Embiid not fouling, please post it.

And I actually think the Cavs are a great story this season, have done a great job picking their way through who to keep and who to punt on. And given the Sixers' terrible first quarter shooting performance, I have little doubt that they'd have been in trouble if both Allen and Mobley played.

But really, I didn't see a foul in any of the videos and I actually took the time to watch the Cavs feed repeatedly, which was different than the Philly broadcast. So I'll just have to say that we watched the same thing and came up with different takes. No issue with that. And the "triggered" comment wasn't really directed at you. There's been a significant, escalating amount of venom around recently RE: Embiid/Harden and I'm simply done playing nice. If my tone spilled over to you, I apologize.


It looks like a foul on the game angle and the NBA 2 minute report called it a foul and presumably they have access to all these same awesome angles you have.

Yeah, but the last two minutes report is specious at best. Always has been. For example, I just took a look and they don't even mention the clear away-from-the-play foul(s) on Stevens that I just posted screen shots of. I do see, however, that they mention the Cavs allegedly got the benefit of a...drumroll...defensive 3 second non-call, which would have added to the Sixers lead, as would have an appropriately-called Flagrant I when Harris got smacked, and the non-called Stevens holding...and, well you get the point, I think. And for certain, there isn't an angle on the planet that shows Embiid making contact with Garland's head.

Look, I have no problem agreeing to disagree on this. The alternative is that we go back and forth call v. call Bengals/Steelers fan style, and no one wants that. But given that there was exactly zero attention paid to the alleged foul during the Sixers broadcast, I was honestly 100% astonished that people were complaining about one.

[SteelSD]

I'm not understanding why a Steelers fan in SD gets so worked up about 76ers posts from strangers on a Cincinnati Reds message board.

And I'm wondering why a non-basketball fan is in this thread commenting at all.

[Boston Red]

And I'm wondering why a non-basketball fan is in this thread commenting at all.

Who is that?

[SteelSD]

Who is that?

Do you mean in addition to you?

[Boston Red]

Weird. Ok

[SteelSD]

Weird. Ok

I agree. Your entry into the conversation was very strange. Now, you done?

[Boston Red]

Until your next weird angry defense of the 76ers for some reason here....maybe.

[BuckeyeRed27]

I'm not understanding why a Steelers fan in SD gets so worked up about 76ers posts from strangers on a Cincinnati Reds message board.

To be fair I think we are both Utah Jazz fans living in Kansas and Cleveland talking about basketball on a baseball message board.

[Boston Red]

To be fair I think we are both Utah Jazz fans living in Kansas and Cleveland talking about basketball on a baseball message board.

Fair enough. Lol. But we ARE Reds fans. As sad as that is.

[SteelSD]

To be fair I think we are both Utah Jazz fans living in Kansas and Cleveland talking about basketball on a baseball message board.

The Jazz and Sixers don't have fans.

They have victims.

[M2]

The 2 minute report seems like an instrument of solace for fans with hard feelings after a loss or, more likely, for gamblers who lost their bets.

[Kingspoint]

The 2-minute report:

"Sorry I took your girlfriend, but she didn't like you anyway."

[Bourgeois Zee]

And yet, you can't find a single angle where Embiid makes contact with Garland's shooting arm as he brings the ball up, extends, and follows through pre-flop. Yet I'm supposed to believe that he was "hacked" and, apparently, that he was hit in the head.

I adore that, Steel. Even in the face of an admission by the officials and the league, you double down on the nuh-uh.

[Bourgeois Zee]

But I do love how triggered folks get about some Sixers offensive players getting a bunch of free throws.

Nobody's triggered.

Most fans don't care for whiners, actors, floppers, and attempting to game the system. Philadelphia has two of the worst in the sport at that. You might call it smart-- I call it difficult to watch. As a fan who cares little for a specific team but enjoys the aesthetic of the game, it's bothersome. At least Maxey and Thybulle are fun to watch.

[Rojo Rijo]

After seeing how the Zion-Morant draft has turned out I can't help but wonder if Jaden Ivey is the gem in this class.

For Orlando I hope we end up with Ivey or Banchero. While many would think the right move for Orlando (if a top 3 pick is the outcome of the lottery) would be a wing/stretch 4 I actually don't see that as the case. I think we're loaded with potentials at every position. The guard spot which has been an issue for years now has Fultz, Suggs, Anthony, and Hampton all competing for time. On the wing the hope is Isaac will return and form a lethal 1-2 punch on the wing with Franz. At the 5 Wendell Carter has that locked down and chances are good we match any offer on Bamba who has improved.

Out of the 4 potential top picks Ivey has that other worldly athleticism that Morant has used to catapult himself into the leagues elite and make Memphis a contender. Banchero has all the tools as a 6'10 wing. Smith has a beautiful shot and can play defense but he has yet to display an ability to get his own shot and that will be concerning for most NBA teams. Holmgren i've just never been a fan of his NBA profile. Sure he has unicorn size and can shoot I just see him struggling badly against NBA level players.

I'd rate them
1A - Banchero
1B - Ivey
3 - Smith
4 - Holmgren

[Kingspoint]

After seeing how the Zion-Morant draft has turned out I can't help but wonder if Jaden Ivey is the gem in this class.

For Orlando I hope we end up with Ivey or Banchero. While many would think the right move for Orlando (if a top 3 pick is the outcome of the lottery) would be a wing/stretch 4 I actually don't see that as the case. I think we're loaded with potentials at every position. The guard spot which has been an issue for years now has Fultz, Suggs, Anthony, and Hampton all competing for time. On the wing the hope is Isaac will return and form a lethal 1-2 punch on the wing with Franz. At the 5 Wendell Carter has that locked down and chances are good we match any offer on Bamba who has improved.

Out of the 4 potential top picks Ivey has that other worldly athleticism that Morant has used to catapult himself into the leagues elite and make Memphis a contender. Banchero has all the tools as a 6'10 wing. Smith has a beautiful shot and can play defense but he has yet to display an ability to get his own shot and that will be concerning for most NBA teams. Holmgren i've just never been a fan of his NBA profile. Sure he has unicorn size and can shoot I just see him struggling badly against NBA level players.

I'd rate them
1A - Banchero
1B - Ivey
3 - Smith
4 - Holmgren

Who do you have for five?

[Rojo Rijo]

Who do you have for five?

Keegan Murray

[SteelSD]

Nobody's triggered.

Most fans don't care for whiners, actors, floppers, and attempting to game the system. Philadelphia has two of the worst in the sport at that. You might call it smart-- I call it difficult to watch. As a fan who cares little for a specific team but enjoys the aesthetic of the game, it's bothersome. At least Maxey and Thybulle are fun to watch.

Maybe you should pick a team then and watch them over time. It might help you gain perspective. Right now you actually sound like you're a baseball fan complaining about Walks not meeting your "aesthetic" standards. You don't like the looks of how a team wins? No one cares. I'd rather watch guys like Barkley and Iverson (historically) and Embiid (currently) win games however they can. As of today, all three have posted seasons ranking in the top 25 single-season free throw attempts per-game rates, BTW. They're there with Harden, yep. But they're also on that list with Shaq, Wilt, Jerry West, Bob Petit, Adrian Dantley, Oscar Robertson, Michael Jordan, Elgin Baylor, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Dwight Howard, George Mikan, and David Robinson.

Are all those guys all just whiners, actors, and floppers? Or is it just Embiid and Harden?

Should we suspend the rest of the current NBA top 10 FTA list? I mean, it'll be tough on fans not seeing stars like Embiid, Harden, Giannis, DeRozan, Doncic, Trae Young, Ja Morant, Jokic, and Gobert in the playoffs I suppose. Crap. That's the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, last season's MVP and another handful of that award's candidates for this season.

But the fouls aren't real for them, right? They're just really good actors.

Here's an idea- if you don't want players like that to get to the free throw line, stop fouling them. Throw the ball in the post to guys like Embiid and Giannis and just don't touch them. Don't mess with DeRozan and Doncic when they drive to the bucket. What exactly do you think happens then?

The worst part is that I told you what would happen with the Sixers free throws. You were in denial.

[M2]

Some fairly weighty contests tonight: Hornets at Heat, Hawks at Raptors, Bucks at Bulls, Spurs at Nuggets, Grizzlies at Jazz.

[Bourgeois Zee]

Maybe you should pick a team then and watch them over time...

The worst part is that I told you what would happen with the Sixers free throws.

No, this is the worst part:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UceF5GcZ3Mw&t=1s

[SteelSD]

Good lord, dude. You're like a chihuahua with a chicken wing nubbin, but think you're a bulldog with a steak. Sad.

[Bourgeois Zee]

Good lord, dude. You're like a chihuahua with a chicken wing nubbin, but think you're a bulldog with a steak. Sad.

Right.

Go whine about the refs some more.

That's a great look.

Tell us again how they're cheating your Sixers. Again.

[M2]

Cleveland lost to Orlando tonight. Last easy game on their schedule. Looking grim for that team. No Allen, no Mobley, no chance.

[SteelSD]

So anyways, good fight from the Pacers tonight- getting back within two scores in the second half after being down by 27 in the first during a 49-point second quarter from Philly. Tyrese Maxey nearly went Klay Thompson; hitting 7 of his career-high 8 triples before halftime, and finishing with 30 almost effortless points. As a team, the Sixers his a franchise record 23 three pointers and held one, let by Joel Embiid's monster 45 point/13 rebound performance and 11 points with 14 assists from Harden, who was in playmaker mode tonight. DeAndre Jordan got tossed for a Flagrant two, which I didn't disagree with.

I really liked the energy from the Pacers, who didn't quit and are quite good on the offensive boards, outrebounding the Sixers by 11 there. Halliburton was really good, as I expected, and I was also impressed by both Isaiah Jackson and Jalen Smith, who I really knew nothing about prior to tonight's game. The funniest line of the night belonged to Lance Stephenson, who put up 10 points in 9 minutes, and still managed a -16 +/- before sitting for the rest of the game.

[SteelSD]

Cleveland lost to Orlando tonight. Last easy game on their schedule. Looking grim for that team. No Allen, no Mobley, no chance.

If everything finishes as it looks like it will tonight, both Charlotte and Atlanta will slide down to 9 and 10, with Brooklyn leapfrogging to 8th.

[SteelSD]

Right.

Go whine about the refs some more.

That's a great look.

Tell us again how they're cheating your Sixers. Again.

Dude, read your posts. You've been whining about officials for pages now. Seriously man, you need to find a team to root for. I can't even imagine the energy it takes you to focus on exclusively hating other fans' teams.

[BuckeyeRed27]

Cleveland lost to Orlando tonight. Last easy game on their schedule. Looking grim for that team. No Allen, no Mobley, no chance.

Allen and Mobley might be back for one or both of the last 2. Those are at Nets and Bucks who are both playing for something.

[M2]

Allen and Mobley might be back for one or both of the last 2. Those are at Nets and Bucks who are both playing for something.

I hope they are. It's a shame watching them have such a promising season only for it to fizzle.

[M2]

So anyways, good fight from the Pacers tonight- getting back within two scores in the second half after being down by 27 in the first during a 49-point second quarter from Philly. Tyrese Maxey nearly went Klay Thompson; hitting 7 of his career-high 8 triples before halftime, and finishing with 30 almost effortless points. As a team, the Sixers his a franchise record 23 three pointers and held one, let by Joel Embiid's monster 45 point/13 rebound performance and 11 points with 14 assists from Harden, who was in playmaker mode tonight. DeAndre Jordan got tossed for a Flagrant two, which I didn't disagree with.

I really liked the energy from the Pacers, who didn't quit and are quite good on the offensive boards, outrebounding the Sixers by 11 there. Halliburton was really good, as I expected, and I was also impressed by both Isaiah Jackson and Jalen Smith, who I really knew nothing about prior to tonight's game. The funniest line of the night belonged to Lance Stephenson, who put up 10 points in 9 minutes, and still managed a -16 +/- before sitting for the rest of the game.

I maintain the Sixers will be very dangerous if Harden stays in PG mode. He's excellent at it.

[SteelSD]

I maintain the Sixers will be very dangerous if Harden stays in PG mode. He's excellent at it.

I agree with you, particularly as it looks like he's playing on half a hamstring half the time right now.

[Mutaman]

Looks like Lopez has recovered from his surgery fairly nicely.

[Betterread]

I agree with you, particularly as it looks like he's playing on half a hamstring half the time right now.

That doesn’t make any sense from an anatomical viewpoint. Injured hamstrings are when the muscle/tendon is overstretched to the point of operational weakness. Surgical repair consists of pulling back the overstretched muscle and reattaching the tendon, if necessary. Your hamstring never “contracts” to a smaller size.

[SteelSD]

That doesn’t make any sense from an anatomical viewpoint. Injured hamstrings are when the muscle/tendon is overstretched to the point of operational weakness. Surgical repair consists of pulling back the overstretched muscle and reattaching the tendon, if necessary. Your hamstring never “contracts” to a smaller size.

If I said I thought something went over your head, would you respond by saying, "Nothing goes over my head. My reflexes are too fast. I would catch it!"?

[Boston Red]

I thought the Jazz were going to manage to blow tonight's game, too. Hopefully actually beating a good team is a step in the right direction headed into the playoffs.

[Revering4Blue]

Detroit has gone 12-12 since mid February.

Bagley has been a find, Cunningham has settled in as a point forward, and Saddiq Bey has found his 3-and-D mojo.

Which kind of makes what happens this off-season interesting.

Jerami Grant is a very, very good player. He might not be an All-Star, but he's pretty close. He also plays the same position as both Cunningham and Bey. The Pistons could move Bagley to center, Grant to PF, install Bey at SF, and Cunningham at PG and roll with a jumbo-sized Swiss Army knife of wings. (With Hami Diallo as the defensive stopper at guard, that makes some sense.)

They're going to have all sorts of options picking somewhere in the early lottery, almost assuredly deciding between Jaden Ivey, Shaedon Sharpe, and Johnny Davis in the top 10.

Do they deal Grant? What would you take for him?What they cannot do, at least at this point, is run lineups with Stewart and Bagley out there together. While they desperately lack pure shooting from guards, Olynyk is their only big capable of fairly consistently stretching the floor, though Stewart is improving in that area. To that end, if Ivey is off the board, and their pick is in the top four, they cannot pass on Smith, Banchero or Holmgren to reach for Johnny Davis. Sharpe's ceiling is sky high, though.

As for Grant, depending upon their draft pick - frontline or a top flight guard - I'm not sure I'd deal him this offseason. That said, Grant for Duncan Robinson?

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[M2]

The Lakers decided to start their offseason in the 3rd quarter of tonight's game. Barring a 4th quarter miracle against the Suns (L.A. is down 18 heading into the 4th), they will be mathematically eliminated tonight.

[M2]

What they cannot do, at least at this point, is run lineups with Stewart and Bagley out there together. While they desperately lack pure shooting from guards, Olynyk is their only big capable of fairly consistently stretching the floor, though Stewart is improving in that area. To that end, if Ivey is off the board, and their pick is in the top four, they cannot pass on Smith, Banchero or Holmgren to reach for Johnny Davis. Sharpe's ceiling is sky high, though.

As for Grant, depending upon their draft pick - frontline or a top flight guard - I'm not sure I'd deal him this offseason. That said, Grant for Duncan Robinson?

I think you're right on the draft pick. Smith would be awesome for that team.

As for a Grant trade, how about Jalen Brunson sign-and-trade with the Mavs?

[goreds2]

The Lakers decided to start their offseason in the 3rd quarter of tonight's game. Barring a 4th quarter miracle against the Suns (L.A. is down 18 heading into the 4th), they will be mathematically eliminated tonight.

Done,

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/la-lakers-fall-out-of-nba-playoff-contention-after-seventh-consecutive-defeat/ar-AAVUxFT

[Rojo Rijo]

Charlotte has given up 144 points in back to back games.....

I seem to remember a time LaMelo scored 92 in a high school game and the internet/SM was buzzing about it and then seeing a handful of people point out that he pretty much played half court and just played offense. I'm wondering if his style is rubbing off on the Hornets a bit.

It's funny because there is a clip from the game last night where he does some fancy ball handling and then his teammate misses the shot. They've actually cut the clip to leave that part off and nobody is discussing them giving up 144 points....

[Revering4Blue]

Charlotte has given up 144 points in back to back games.....

I seem to remember a time LaMelo scored 92 in a high school game and the internet/SM was buzzing about it and then seeing a handful of people point out that he pretty much played half court and just played offense. I'm wondering if his style is rubbing off on the Hornets a bit.

It's funny because there is a clip from the game last night where he does some fancy ball handling and then his teammate misses the shot. They've actually cut the clip to leave that part off and nobody is discussing them giving up 144 points....

Their rim protection is abysmal, to say the least. Nick Richards, who rarely plays, is their only presence there. While I like Kai Jones’s potential as an all around big, they should consider packaging him with Washington to bring in Myles Turner.


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